Sept.14 was an unusual day in our little Ward County community of Carpio. It marked only the third time there had been a parade there in the past 20 years.

This time it was the fire department’s parade. The local first responders were celebrating 75 years as a fire department and as a spectator looking on, it was impressive.

The Carpio department brought out all the big guns, but that wasn’t all. Donnybrook, Tolley, Burlington, Berthold and Minot Rural fire departments were all involved, helping to recognize the Carpio department on its big day.
Others were involved in the parade as well. There were future firefighters, kids on horseback including one young lady who was riding with her dog and the dog seemed quite comfortable riding side saddle.

Mema’s Meats from Berthold was involved. No, they weren’t selling or tossing out T-bone steaks. What they were doing was taking part in the parade with a team of draft horses and giving rides to people after the parade. They had just finished an exhausting farmers’ market in downtown Minot and three hours later had a team and wagon hitched up to recognize the Carpio Fire Department’s achievement.

The parade had a fleet of Model T’s, REO Speedwagons and other cars from the 1920s and ‘30s, which in and of itself was impressive.
But what was most impressive about this parade is what one person watching the parade from a Main Street sidewalk said. “Just think, these are all volunteers.”

That’s what we need to focus on here. Yes, we all love a parade and some of the firefighting equipment that rolled down Carpio’s Main Street was as modern as any department, but yes, those involved are all volunteers and they are unique people.

They all have jobs outside the fire department and if the whistle blows or pager beeps, they will drop what they are doing at a moment’s notice, get to the fire hall as quickly as possible and do their level best to put out any blaze.
It could be a grass fire, a combine, something gets hit by lightning and catches fire, or worst yet, someone’s house is on fire, including their own.

In some cases, firefighters will risk their own lives to save ours, and they aren’t getting paid for this. It’s their calling and in small towns like Carpio, Tolley or Berthold, we need volunteers just like those who put their equipment on display on Saturday.

We, as in the public at large, can’t thank our local fire departments enough for what they do. Unfortunately, small-town departments are understaffed as a routine because there simply aren’t enough people to go around.
It’s the same with ambulance crews. We’ve seen that all across the state of North Dakota. Ambulance crews are short staffed and need volunteers to step up and be part of something bigger than themselves.

It’s a calling and every small town in North Dakota wishes more would answer that call.
When something happens, it’s all hands on deck and when a department is short staffed, that means those available have to work that much harder to get the job done.

Case in point: 12 years ago the grain elevator in Carpio caught fire and the local department, along with several others were on scene for several days. It included a department from Minot Air Force Base that could reach the top of the elevator where the fire was burning.

While that fire played out whether it was 2 p.m., or 4 o’clock in the morning, this reporter was in awe of how those departments worked together, led by then Carpio Fire Chief Kalvin Myers, to monitor that fire until it was out.
But, that’s what these people do. They answer the call. We don’t want to see them at our house, but we certainly appreciate their presence in our community.

And on Saturday, Sept. 14, the parade in Carpio assured us that the local fire department and those in the surrounding communities are resolute in their duties. The parade was a lot of fun and it showed the pride in their polished trucks, but it also told us a whole lot more about these volunteers.