When the call comes in, Carpio Fire Department responds. Now, thanks to a brand new fire truck, their response will be more efficient.

“To be able to respond quickly and put fires out faster then we were,” says Kalvin Myers, the Carpio Assistant Fire Chief.

“Newer vehicle. Quicker response time. Its a multipurpose type vehicle,” says Peter Thorp, the Carpio Fire Chief.

The new truck boasts a 400 gallon water tank, automatic nozzle, ample storage and a big crew cab. But by far the best part of the truck, is the maker.

“That is what we are here for. That is what we do,” says James Huston of Dakota Fire and Emergency.

James Huston is a service technician at Dakota Fire and Emergency in Minot. Basically, he builds fire trucks. From the water system, to the lights, sirens and storage, Dakota Fire and Emergency does is all. Carpio`s new fire truck is the first vehicle created by the company, which has been in business for about a year.

“We feel this is the perfect rural responding truck for North Dakota. It will do everything. It will fight a grass fire or a structure fire,” says Huston.

Not only does Dakota Fire and Emergency build response vehicles they provide a vital service for North Dakota as well. There are no companies in the state that build and repair emergency response vehicles. So when fire departments need their vehicles serviced they have to travel long distances out of state, wasting gas, money and leaving their departments without an emergency vehicle. Dakota Fire and Emergency not only can fix emergency vehicles, they also provide in-house service.

“I fight fires for volunteers at night and day and I build fire trucks. That is what I do is build and service fire equipment,” says Huston.

Huston is a volunteer firefighter for Burlington and like the rest of the crew at Dakota Fire and Emergency, looks forward to serving North Dakota`s Fire Departments.

Minot Welding helps with many of Dakota Fire and Emergency projects. Dakota Fire and Emergency is working on other vehicle projects for about six other rural fire departments in the state.