The Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Department in Cherokee County is helping the county upgrade fire protection. Department officials last week presented a $110,000 check to Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services toward the cost of a fire engine that will be stationed at Station 23 on Vaughan Road in east Cherokee.

Head of the volunteer agency Larry Berry said the money came from a fund drive held within the community. The engine will be manned by Hickory Flat volunteers during a portion of the time that its in service and has already been purchased.