Vintage fire truck saves lives in Oklahoma freeze

When temperatures plummeted below freezing during a historic storm in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ryan Duval didn’t hunker down and stay put.

Instead, he climbed into his vintage fire truck and headed straight out into the icy tundra. Why? To help.

Ryan knew that with wind chills dropping the mercury to life-threatening lows, people outside without shelter were in serious danger.

"I just saw a need for getting people out of the cold. The negative 20 temperatures really hit me hard...Someone staying outside, I wouldn't be able to survive it. So, I'm just out here getting those folks off the street," he said.

Duval had purchased the 40-year-old fire truck at a government auction years ago. He hadn't used it for a while until this moment.

Cruising through Tulsa, Duval kept an eye out for anyone exposed to the freezing temperatures. When he spotted someone in need, he pulled over and offered help. Whether that meant a safe ride to a warming shelter or a chance to grab a hot meal and some water, Duval and his fire truck were town heroes.

One by one, people climbed aboard, finding temporary relief from the brutal cold inside the old truck. But through it all, Duval says he never set out to be recognized. He simply felt called to act.

"It’s just giving back to a community like everybody should do,” Duval said. “If I can do it, anybody can do it."

By the end of the weekend, his old fire truck had become a moving shelter — a place of warmth and a reminder that we can all find ways to help those around us whether the storm.

Humankindis your go-to spot for good news!Click hereto submit your uplifting, cute, or inspiring video moments for us to feature. Also,click here to subscribe to our newsletter, bringing our top stories of the week straight to your inbox.