The Dysart Fire Department is asking council for some more cash this year. During yesterday’s budget meeting, Chief Mike Iles asked for around $510,000, which is up from last year’s budget of $450,000. He says a big part of that cost is going to go into buying new gear for the firefighters. He says everything has an expiry date, from the helmets to the boots, and it now needs to be replaced. He also points out there is a high liability for the municipality, because most of the firefighters are volunteers. Councillor Walt McKechnie is on board with the pitch, saying council needs to stay on top of the issue to keep the fire crews safe. Council will take the request into consideration when it decides on the 2017 budget.
