Nesquehoning businesses and residents will soon be able to have one extra level of security in the event of fires.

On Wednesday, Nesquehoning Borough Council unanimously passed the Knox box ordinance without any changes. Councilman David DeMelfi was absent.Prior to the vote, Councilwoman Rosemary Porembo explained that the public safety committee's recommendation is to keep the original ordinance without the $25 annual fee per business, and move forward with allowing the three fire companies to implement the lock box system using money from the firemen's relief fund, with no money coming from the borough to cover the approximately $3,200 bill to equip the five fire apparatus.The departments have wanted to incorporate this program into the borough to help in the event of an emergency when no keyholder is available at the site.It would allow the fire departments to gain entry without having to break a door."I believe it will be a good program because there are residents and I believe commercial properties that would like to be involved," Porembo said, adding that it will cost residents wishing to participate in the program about $300 to $400 to purchase the box.The Knox boxes have been a topic of discussion between council and the fire departments since last summer.Five of the fire apparatus between the three departments will be equipped with a master key that would open the boxes. The master box would only be able to be opened through activation by the 911 center.The logistics between the fire departments and the communications center still have to be worked out.Some council members, at previous meetings, voiced that the bill to equip the five vehicles may not be worth it because it would only benefit a few businesses and not the town as a whole.However, the fire departments believe it will help, and volunteered to use money from the firemen's relief fund, which is used for gear and training.