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COMMUNITY NEWS
This was the culmination of a six year campaign lead by Fountain Fire Chief Darin Anstine on behalf of Fountain Fire Department personnel and the community as a whole. Of course, they need to learn to work the thing before trying it out. “Citizens will see the ladder truck around town a lot,” Anstine explained. “We’ll be doing a lot of training on it.” Fort Carson Fire and Emergency Services have a ladder operations training program that all personnel will undergo.
The Security Fire Department, which has had ladder trucks for years, will also assist in training. “This is something we’ve needed for a long time,” Anstine commented. The ladder truck is a fast-deploying METZ, 105 foot aerial ladder truck, designed to reach both high and low, with the capacity to lower nearly 30 feet below deck; excellent for river, ice or precipice rescues. A two-axle base allows for high maneuverability on narrow streets. The ladder is the only kind that can be used as a crane with a lifting capability of up to 8,800 lbs. or 4 tons, which is useful if victims are trapped under heavy objects. With a capacity of 500 pounds, the cage can accommodate three or four passengers, or two firefighters in full gear. All this greatly increases the Department’s versatility and scope of operations. Anstine expressed appreciation on behalf of the Department to everyone who contributed their time and energy to make the ladder truck a reality. “We’d like to extend our appreciation to Fountain City Council for unanimously voting to get this much-needed equipment for the citizens. From myself and all the people of the Fountain Fire Department, we appreciate Acting City Manager Dave Smedsrud, Finance Director Kathy Kuberka, the LaChey family, Mayor Jeri Howells and the Fountain City Council for making this happen. We appreciate their support and diligence. Thanks to everyone for coming together. This will have a tremendous positive impact on the community.”
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