WEIRTON – In an effort to better protect area residents on the water, as well as on land, the Weirton Fire Department plans to upgrade its water rescue operations with new training and equipment.

Weirton Council is set to consider a resolution Monday for the purchase of water rescue equipment for the fire department, with a recommendation made by the city’s Finance Committee Friday.

Fire Chief Kevin Himmelrick explained while the department has a boat, and is able to conduct some water rescues, he wants to do more.

“We had a dive team years ago,” he said. “We disbanded it because we didn’t have enough members.”

Through the allocation of up to $119,983.47, plans are to purchase new water rescue equipment, including a sonar detection system, communications equipment, hauling trailer, and related gear.

With the city limits stretching from the mouth of Kings Creek to the area of Harmon Creek, Himmelrick noted the Weirton Fire Department is tasked with providing protection to approximately 12 miles of the Ohio River.

Plans are for every member of the fire department to be trained and certified in swift water rescue operations, with 12 members trained in diving rescue. This way, Himmelrick, said, there would be four divers available for each of the department’s work shifts.

“It’s something long overdue,” he said, noting he and members of the department had been discussing the effort for several months when approached by Ward 1 Councilman Tim Connell with the proposal.

Connell pointed to recent incidents as reinforcing the need to new equipment and training, including the June drowning death of an area teen, and, more recently, an incident in Wellsburg where a tractor-trailer crashed into the river, resulting in the death of the driver.

Himmelrick confirmed Weirton’s rescue boat was the first to arrive in Wellsburg, but, without trained divers, they had to wait for support from the Wheeling Fire Department.

Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead applauded the proposal, but said it would be imperative to make sure the department stays up on its training.

“The key thing is to keep them involved,” he said.

Finance Director Diana Smoljanovich noted the expenditure had not been budgeted by council, but she should be able to find enough in the city’s General Fund instead of using Rainy Day funds.

Ward 6 Councilman Anthony Rocchio asked if there were grants available to support the purchase. Himmelrick said he had not been able to find one.

Planning and Development Director Mark Miller offered to research grant opportunities, but said they wouldn’t be available for some time.

“I can look into it, but it will be this time next year before we get it,” Miller said.

Weirton Council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the council chambers of the Weirton Municipal Building.