Published February 04. 2023 07:54AM
by LOU WHEELAND Special to The Press
Members of the Upper Lehigh Lions Club met with Tri-Clover Fire Police Lt. Mark Koch, an amputee, to view modifications made by members of the fire company to Koch’s truck to accommodate his disabilities.
Koch lost his left leg to complications of diabetes many years ago, but has recently suffered from Charcot foot, a diabetic complication caused by peripheral neuropathy causing numbness and pain in the affected foot.
It also causes deformities to the foot, making it difficult to operate a motor vehicle.
Members of the fire company modified Koch’s truck to allow it to be driven with hand controls, eliminating the need for foot pedals.
The modifications were paid for by funds from the Upper Lehigh Lions Club and the Lions Foundation.
With these modifications, Koch has returned to his position as fire police lieutenant.
Fire Police Lt. Mark Koch of Tri-Clover Fire Company, North Whitehall, demonstrates the use of hand controls in the cab of his pickup truck. Funds to cover the cost of the renovations were provided by the Upper Lehigh Lions Club. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Fire Police Lt. Mark Koch, Tri-Clover Fire Company, stands next to his pickup truck modified with hand controls.
The cab of Fire Police Lt. Mark Koch, Tri-Clover Fire Company, North Whitehall Township, pickup truck shows the hand controls needed to operate his truck. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Members of the Upper Lehigh Lions Club joined with Tri-Clover Fire Police Lt. Mark Koch to view the modifications to his pickup truck allowing him to maintain his role as fire police lieutenant. Members Include: Ken Zimmerman, vice president, and Bill Rabe, secretary, both with Lions Club of Upper Lehigh, Mark Koch, recipient, Fred Folland, board member, Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Service Foundation, Chad McCauley, assistant chief, Tri-Clover Fire Company, Ron Gabel, Community Betterment chair, and Kevin Schmidt, treasurer, both with Lions Club of Upper Lehigh, and Dan Lombardo, board member, Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Service Foundation.