The Portage Fire Department issued its 2016 year-end call reports to the City and RM of Portage la Prairie. As a result, the subject of false alarms was raised at yesterday's RM council. Reeve Kam Blight says council's considering a means of curbing them.

"We did notice that that there are quite a few false alarms for fire alarms," explains Blight. "Administration is going to take a little closer look into that to see how many of them are repeat false alarms, and also take a look at possibly charging for false alarms."

He notes charges won't be issued for first-time false alarms, but they plan to charge repeated instances. False alarms not only cost the municipality money but take firefighters away from instances where actual calls have also gone forth.

Blight adds 911 screening has also significantly cut down needs for the fire department to respond to highway emergencies.