Port Clements council voted earlier this month (Oct. 5) to allow the local fire department to respond to emergencies outside its fire protection boundaries.Administrator Heather Nelson-Smith told council that the resolution would allow the fire department to assist wherever its needed and still be covered under the village's insurance coverage.Just a few weeks ago the fire department responded to a motor vehicle accident in Tlell, a location technically beyond its designated limit.According to a memo from the fire department, the volunteers do not want to ever hesitate to respond when they are needed just because of an insurance issue. The fire department already has a policy that the pumper truck always stays in Port and that at least five fire fighters stay in town if there is a call out, in order to protect the village.Ms Nelson-Smith said the resolution will not change the village's insurance rates, but will make sure the village is covered if, for example, a fire department volunteer got hurt while out on a call beyond the boundary.