Providing up-to-date public safety services is always a struggle for small, rural communities that just don’t have a lot of money.

That’s what makes a recent development in the tiny Calhoun County town of Knoke special.

There, a modern three-bay station for the Butler Township Fire Department debuted last September. It replaced a much smaller building that was so cramped there was scarcely any room for someone to walk between the two fire trucks.

The new building measures 60 by 60-feet. It provides room for the volunteer firefighters to train indoors, which is an option they never had before, according to Fire Chief Randy Neeman.

The extra space also will make it possible for the Fire Department to acquire an additional, needed truck. The firefighters plan to get a small four-wheel drive vehicle to put out grass and field fires.

The new building cost about $133,000. Butler Township doesn’t have that kind of cash on hand. But it does have individuals and organizations willing to chip in to benefit the community.

The sources of funding included a $20,900 grant from Grow Greene County, the organization that holds the gaming license for the casino in Jefferson. Farm Credit Services of America provided an $8,000 grant. The Calhoun County Rural Electric Cooperative provided a $70,000 interest-free loan.

And while the new station was under construction, NEW Cooperative allowed the department to house their trucks and equipment in one of its buildings.

“We have to thank our community,” Neeman said. “They help us out greatly.”

In addition to the new station, there’s other good news for the Butler Township Fire Department. At a time when volunteer firefighters are harder to recruit, this department has a full roster of 16 members. Neeman said a lot of them are younger people full of enthusiasm for the fire service.

We salute these young firefighters for volunteering to do something so filled with danger,

And the individuals and groups that donated money to make the new fire station possible have earned our gratitude.