The city will spend more than $55,000 on upgrading the fire department's rescue tools.

At the Aug. 12 council meeting, members voted in favour of spending $50,490 on new hydraulic rescue tools from KGC Fire Rescue.

Up to $5,000 was approved as well to fix up the existing hydraulic pump for secondary use and training purposes.

As fire chief Clive Sparks told council in a report a week earlier, the tools now being used were bought more than a decade ago, in June 2002.

Over the past four years, service "has been sporadic and parts have been hard to obtain.

"This means the unit is out of service for a period of time. This is our main hydraulic rescue equipment and without it, the (fire) department is unable to respond as effectively to a motor vehicle crash,” Sparks noted.

The equipment maintenance supervisor recommended the tools be replaced immediately as well as being repaired so they can be employed for training or as a secondary use.

While there are sufficient funds available for the purchase and repair, the fire department plans to put off other capital projects to future years so it can make the purchase of the new hydraulic equipment.

The funding will come from plans for improvements to the training centre ($35,000), technical rope rescue ($5,000), self-contained breathing apparatus equipment replacement and upgrades ($5,000), turnout gear replacement ($5,000) and the general reserve ($5,000).

As Sparks described in his report to council: "Waiting for future capital budgets will mean uncertainty for tool replacement and possible additional service reductions in auto extrication capability.”

Councillors Mike Gladish and Jocelyn Curteanu were absent from the Aug. 12 meeting. Mayor Dan Curtis attended by conference call.

Council is now taking a two-week summer break from its weekly meetings.