FAYETTE TOWNSHIP - It is both a meeting place and a good neighbor.

Residents in Northern Fayette Township often use the Fayette 2 Volunteer Fire Department for community meetings and bridal and baby showers.

"Last year during the ice storm, we let people use it as an emergency shelter," fire department Lt. Tim Barnett said. "We wanted to help residents who were without power, without heat. We have an appreciation for our community and everyone in it. We want to do the best job we can protecting our neighbors and their families and our families."

Eighteen volunteers comprise the Fayette 2 department. Barnett said the doors are always open for new volunteers.

"We're right now recruiting new members," Barnett said. "We can always use the extra manpower, especially in the daytime when people are working. We'd like to have people who are dedicated to the community, who are not afraid to lend a hand. We have a place for everybody."

Those who are interested may come to the department's weekly

7 p.m. Tuesday meetings and fill out an application. Barnett said training is provided free.

The Dart is a weekly feature in The Ironton Tribune in which a reporter throws a dart at a map of the county and finds a story where it hits.