In this episode of Heart of the Volunteer, Paul sits down with Captain Brianna Pruitt of the Perkins Fire Department in Perkins, Oklahoma, for a raw and honest conversation about what keeps volunteers answering the call.

Brianna’s story starts with family, service, and a desire to help people. From growing up around public service, serving in the military, dispatching, and eventually becoming a captain in the fire service, her life has continued to point back to one thing: showing up when people need help most.

Together, Paul and Brianna talk about the reality of today’s volunteer fire service. Perkins Fire Department runs hundreds of calls a year, with EMS making up the majority of their responses, while still facing the same challenge departments across the country are dealing with: limited time, limited manpower, and a small group of dedicated people carrying a heavy load.

But this conversation goes deeper than numbers.

Brianna talks about why she still goes, even when she is tired, busy, raising a family, running a business, or being pulled in a dozen different directions. Her answer cuts right to the heart of the volunteer fire service: when someone calls 911, they need to know somebody is coming.

She also opens up about one of the hardest calls of her life, a mass casualty incident involving children, and the moment she nearly walked away from the fire service altogether. Her honesty offers a powerful look at the emotional weight volunteers carry, the faith and strength it takes to continue, and the quiet commitment behind every response.

This episode is about service, sacrifice, family, trauma, faith, and the kind of people who keep showing up, even after the calls that almost break them.

Because to the people waiting for help, showing up is everything.