GALLIPOLIS - From its start seven years ago with three trucks donated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources that were housed in a barn, the District 11 Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department has grown appreciably.

The department now has six vehicles, a roster of 14 personnel and a new building it has occupied since last January.

The public had an opportunity to view Harrison VFD's progress with an open house Saturday at the fire station on Little Bullskin Road. Despite competition with a high school playoff game and fall carnivals, area residents stopped in to see what the department has.

“All in all, it's been pretty decent. We want the community to see the fire coverage we can do and what we have to offer,” said Capt. Kim Cade, the department's secretary.

Chief Ronnie Waugh said Harrison VFD started with the ODNR vehicle donation and bunker gear donated by the Barlow Volunteer Fire Department. Harrison's first base was in a barn, but it quickly moved to a garage on Johnson Road, later to another garage on Rocklick Road, and finally to the station house, which features a meeting room in addition to the fire truck bays.

Harrison VFD covers 40 square miles of territory, including half of Walnut Township, Waugh said. It averages about 40 runs per year.

The department recently obtained a 1982 Chevrolet pumper truck from a fire department at Morsetown, W.Va., while a grant announced by Gallia County Commissioners will provide Harrison with six new airpacks.

Plans for the future include looking for a new truck, Waugh said.