Less Fumes for Fire Department

will be subjected to less potentially dangerous fumes, thanks to the approval of a diesel-exhaust-removal system earlier this week.

Fire Chief Ken Lawfield asked city council Monday to approve the $15,504 system. Lawfield said many neighboring fire departments have such systems in place to stop potentially hazardous fumes emitted from diesel vehicles, such as fire trucks.

Mayor Pro Tem Ken Butler said "it's for the health of our firefighters and they put themselves in harm's way enough."

Butler approved the purchase along with a majority of council.

While making his case for the system, Lawfield prompted pretend coughs and laughter from multiple council members when he said of diesel-exhaust fumes: "If I may add to this, the workers in City Hall are exposed to this."

City Hall is attached to the Fire Department.