The Halifax fire union is disappointed the city’s budget committee only approved 10 new firefighter positions as opposed to the original request of 20.

In a statement, Halifax Professional Fire Fighters say as far as they understand they will be assigned to Station 11 in Upper Sackville which will have a “meaningful impact” in that community.

“With four fire fighters arriving on the first truck, our members can immediately begin fire attack, search and rescue operations, rather than waiting for addition firefighters to arrive,” says the union.

Station 11 is the last one where they are lacking a minimum crew of four on an apparatus.

The union does makes clear though, adding only 10 positions to Upper Sackville will have a “negligible impact” on fighting fires effectively in the area due to travel distance.

The union acknowledges the difficult task Council has when deliberating the budget and they have invested in fire protection, year over year.

However, the union says, without all 20 new positions there will not be an improvement in response time and would only cost the average household about $1.54 every year.

“Our position remains simple: Investing in firefighters is investing in public safety.”