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McCLURE - The men and women of Bannerville Fire Company whose mission is to help local residents are now expanding their role and lending a helping hand to a start-up fire company in Kentucky.

Tony McKnight, emergency management director of West Beaver Township and acting chief of Bannerville Fire Company, said the company will donate a fire truck that is no longer used to a small rural fire company in Ransom, Ky.

The truck, a 1976 Mack, which originally belonged to the Yeagertown Fire Company and was bought by Bannerville about 10 years ago, will head down south on Monday.

The new fire company is still in the midst of acquiring a charter and determining what its name will be. However, the small group of men and women starting the company are serious about the project, with some members of the group refinancing their homes to acquire enough equity to build a fire station.

McKnight said Bannerville had attempted to sell the truck on eBay twice before, and neither time had any serious bidders. So, when McKnight received an e-mail from one the groups members explaining their plight, he thought of the company's old truck and knew Bannerville could help.

McKnight said the new company will service a rural area with approximately 100 to 150 residences. With the nearest fire company 45 minutes away, McKnight said members of the small community knew it needed to form its own fire company. However, with a population of primarily elderly and low-income families, doing so by taxing the residents wasn't a viable option, McKnight said.

McKnight said he will travel to Kentucky to bring the truck to the group, which worked to raise funds to help with the cost of hauling the vehicle. McKnight plans to stay in Kentucky until Thursday, during which time he said he will be busy handling paperwork associated with the donation and also will teach members of the group how to operate the truck.

McKnight said he is in the process of trying to help the group get donations for other crucial items such as hand tools, axes, turn-out gear and a hose, as well as firefighting and rescue-type tools.

McKnight said he hopes other fire companies in the area will pitch in and make a donation as well.