In March 2000, Mark Warnick, a volunteer firefighter with the Brixey and Rockbridge (Mo.) Volunteer Fire & Rescue, founded Helping Our Own, an organization to collect used fire equipment for distribution to needy departments across the country.

On July 17, Chief Lee Thomas of the Silverton (W.Va.) Fire Department donated an unused 1971 John Bean Pumper, protective gear and other equipment to Nicol Volunteer Fire Department, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Nicol VFD is a small department working out of two barns with two tankers, (6×6 redone), a 1964 pumper that had a tank that leaked and a broken pump. They also had two utility trucks that served various uses.

The Helping Our Own organization has served thousands of departments across the country who have less than $15,000 annual income. For more information, contact Warnick at 417-679-2828 or visit <<a href="http://www.helpingourown.com" target="_blank">www.helpingourown.com.>