There will be 15 new firefighters serving Halifax to shorten response times and provide more coverage in growing communities.

Halifax Fire will work off a budget of about $85 million after city council approved it on Wednesday. It is a boost of eight per cent over last year.

The new firefighters will help staff the Middle Musquodoboit department and will allow it to run 24/7.

Rural areas of HRM have been experiencing significant population growth and the move is in response to those needs.

The city has just over 1,000 paid and volunteer firefighters combined. However, they need more than 300 volunteers to help serve communities throughout the municipality with only a limited number of vacancies for career firefighters.

The Middle Muskodoboit department will be staffed with a mix of volunteers and career firefighters.

Councillors approved the budget for the fire service as they move forward with finalizing the city finances for the new fiscal year.