For years, the Franklin Community Volunteer Fire Department has hoped to create more space.

It is outgrowing the current building, and the expansion will improve the functionality of the firefighters and their daily responsibilities in mind.

"We've outgrown our building as we have,” Darin Pizer, president of the department, said. “We've made some expansions before, but it's difficult getting the trucks up around from the back of the building, so we're able to add onto the front of the building now and add more base to the front, so all our main trucks will be up front. Pretty easy to access.”

With the help of a U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, the department received the $1.8 million funds needed to make the necessary changes.

This expansion will create more space for the trucks but also allow for quicker response times for the firefighters as all of the trucks being on one floor.

"So, this will be easier for us, everything will be up on the main floor,” Pizer said. “Our deer room is very close to us, so we're able to get there and get to the trucks much quicker and get out the door."

In addition to Capito's assistance, the fire department couldn't have gotten this far with the expansion process without the help of community fundraisers and campaigns.

Pizer says the projected end date of the expansion project is mid-September.