By Fred Solis
Mount Hope Clarion – August 8, 2013
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – August 28, 2013
More than 100 feet above the Colwich Ball Fields parking lot, Fire Chief Brad Banz and Brett Herrman called out the sites.
Pointing to the north, “That’s Bentley,” Banz said. Turning slightly to his right, he called out, “There’s Valley Center.”
Facing south, Herrman indicated Goddard. Still south, and slightly westward and closer, he noted, “There’s St. Mark’s. You can see the church.”
The aerial geography tour was courtesy of the 95 Platform, an aerial fire truck equipped with an extension ladder and basket that telescopes 95 feet above the vehicle’s center point. The maximum reach of Colwich’s Quint fire engine ladder is 75 feet.
From the basket last Wednesday, when the engine stopped in Colwich, the scenic view was breathtaking, though slightly hazy with residual moisture from recent rains.
As Banz and Herrman continued to sweep the horizon, Herrman pulled out a small digital camera and captured the panoramic view—Colwich landmarks and tree tops in the foreground, farmland, houses and water towers in the distance, with the sun glittering off the pavement that snaked its way through the vista.
Dave Smith, a newly-hired Colwich firefighter and company representative for Weis Fire and Safety in Salina, piloted the basket.
A retired Air Force firefighter and captain, Smith brought the 2013 model to town as part of a show-and-tell visit. Available with 300-or-500-gallon tanks, the truck’s most talked about feature was its ladder.
“It can rotate 360 degrees,” Smith said, as he smoothly swung the ladder clockwise. “The ladder can go seven degrees below grade for rescue. The basket can lift 1,000 pounds, or four people, and up to 12 people can be on the ladder (during rescue.)”
Ratcheted out to its full extension, the 95 Platform attracted the attention of passing pedestrians and trucks along 53rd Street. With safety belts clipped to the basket, the three firefighters laughed and waved to acknowledge the honking horns.
Back on the ground, Smith continued to demonstrate other features of the engine.
“Pretty slick,” Banz remarked.
When equipped, the model sells for around $900,000. Last week he traveled from Atchison to Dodge City, showcasing the firefighting platform. This week he’ll visit cities and towns in southeast Kansas.
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