The Taylorville Fire Department will have a new tool to save lives when water rescues need to be made. The city council approved their share of funding for the purchase of a new rescue boat for pond or lake emergencies.

Taylorville Fire Chief Mike Crews says the purchase was needed because the current boat was aging rapidly.

Crews says the new boat helps the department to provide quicker response times for water rescues.

The boat is expected to cost about $7,600, and the city approved $3,000 in funds to go towards the boat at Monday night’s meeting.