Businesses throughout Northampton Borough are being instructed they must install Knox-Box Rapid Entry Systems on their properties.

The boxes specifically permit fire department personnel to gain entry via a special key linked to the Knox Box in the event of a fire or other emergency. The boxes save time and lives and lessen the likelihood of damage to property.

Borough Manager Gene Zarayko told borough council at a meeting last month that the administration has received a number of applications for the entry system, scheduled to be implemented this year.

Zarayko also said the borough fire truck recently was involved in an accident.

"The fire department's ladder truck was involved in a minor accident when responding to a mutual aid request in Lehigh Township," he said. "They hit a deer and it caused damage to the siren and the bumper."