MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - For those who utilize Lake Lansing or any of the other bodies of water in the Township, the Fire Department has your safety first.

The new 10-foot Zodiac was purchased to replace a 15-year-old boat the Township had.

They've only had it for a month and is currently stored at Fire Station 2 on the intersection of Haslett and Okemos Roads.

The Fire Department purchased the boat from West Marine, a marine supply shop, in East Lansing for between $1,800 and $2,000.

That was the price of the boat alone, not including the 15 horsepower Mercury engine or any other supplies.

"We can move it into small ponds and streams," Lieutenant Paul Cullimore of the Meridian Fire Department said. "Two personal can move the apparatus into where we need to versus a larger vessel that does need to be kept in the water at all times. This just is a little more agile."

He said the main purpose of the boat is for quick rescue and recovery needs for victims on the water.

The response time to get from the station to where needed is between eight and ten minutes, Cullimore said.