The Lacombe Fire Department will be upgrading from a fishing boat to a rescue boat to assist with water rescues, but not until next year.

Last night council decided to include the cost of replacing the existing boat in the 2018 budget deliberations.

Currently the boat being used is near the end of its life and has sprung leaks.

According to Fire Chief Ed van Delden, the department could use a boat more equipped for rescues.

"We're looking at something that will have a low freeboard on the side, but it also needs to be very stable."

 "So not a pleasure craft, but something that if the wind picks up and we get in some wave action on the lake, we're not afraid to take that boat into the water," van Delden said.
 
van Delden added with the increased use of storm water ponds for recreation and the other water bodies within the city, it's an important service to maintain.
 
And despite only being used for roughly three calls a year, the rescue boat will continue to assist other districts like Alix, Clive and Bentley, who currently do not have access to one of their own.

Right now Lacombe County shares the cost of maintaining the boat, the rescue suits and the training and council says they will be consulted going forward.