Robby Jackson’s enduring flame of bravery is the definition of service. On January 7, 2025, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Apparatus Operator Robby Jackson jumped into action to tackle the Palisades Fire. This disastrous wildfire erupted in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County. It swiftly spread, incinerating extensive regions of Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu, until contained on January 31 after 24 harrowing days.
While teaching an auto-extrication session in Sunland, Jackson noticed smoke rising over the Palisades, foreshadowing the disastrous fire that would soon endanger thousands of homes. His quick decision to build an emergency command center at Will Rogers State Beach transformed chaos into order, exemplifying the LAFD’s ethos of service. This is more than simply a firefighter’s narrative. It’s about a man whose lifetime desire to help others, built through personal sacrifice and relentless learning, sparked a legacy of resilience. His journey is motivation for all of us. True strength resides in responding to the call when it means the most.
Forged in Fire: Born to Serve
Robby Jackson’s journey begins in an impoverished Los Angeles neighborhood, where his father, a dedicated LAFD firefighter, instilled in him a lifetime desire to serve. Although little is documented about his life before the age of 13, it is a fact that he joined the Explorer program, a Los Angeles County initiative for youth aged 14-20, where he first experienced the discipline of firefighting.
He eagerly embraced Crew 3, a volunteer hand crew offering specialized wildland training. He became a school LAFD Cadet in high school, attentively observing firefighters at stations to absorb every lesson. He turned 20 in 2015, when he graduated as class leader, excelling in drill tower specialties. He did all this not for attention, but personal development as he stated during his Firefighter of the month January interview.
“It’s not about working for the title of being number one at what you’re doing. I wasn’t in pursuit of class leader, but I was in pursuit of doing my best.”
Robby Jackson
The journey proved challenging, requiring him to juggle his studies, part-time work to fund his training, and societal pressure to choose a “safer” career path. Undeterred, he joined the LAFD’s FEMA task force and completed Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) training at Fire Station 3. In 2023, he deployed to Hurricane Milton in Florida to conduct search and recovery operations. He suffered a serious ankle sprain sustained in a wildfire in 2023 that required months of arduous recuperation. His victorious comeback transformed personal hardship into a legacy of courage and mentoring, igniting support for firefighters’ mental health.
Robby Jackson’s Enduring Flame of Bravery Tested During the Palisades Fire.
“You could see the smoke in the distance and tell it was getting bigger.”
Robby Jackson
On the morning of January 7, 2025, while Jackson was teaching an auto-extrication class in Sunland, the routine was disrupted by a radio alert about the Palisades Fire. He heard more resources being called over the radio and knew quickly that this fire would be significant. Yet no one could have foreseen the true magnitude of its impact. The fire ignited near Temescal Ridge Trail and, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, rapidly spread toward Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu. He was summoned to Will Rogers State Beach by the LAFD’s tactical planning division to set up the incident command center in a matter of hours.
For 36 relentless hours, AO Jackson helped to organize and set up this crucial component of a big event response. He selected the optimal spots for parking the equipment, identified the ideal location for the operations trailer, and ensured adequate resources for the hundreds of personnel entering and exiting the base camp.
To protect homes and communities, he facilitated the delivery of tools, equipment, and fuel to firefighters on the fire line. Throughout January, AO Jackson traveled to multiple fires threatening the city, though he primarily remained at the Will Rogers base camp. He ensured that teams received the resources and support.
The Palisades Fire was AO Jackson’s first experience with “ground support,” or the logistics aspect of the operation, although it wasn’t his first major fire. He serves as a key member of the LAFD’s In-Service Training division and a versatile firefighter, largely due to his mastery of procedures and tactics. Throughout his ten years on the job, he has held a variety of positions that reflect his quest to learn the “why” behind how various areas of the Department operate.
Over 24 days, the fire destroyed 15 buildings and 1,200 acres, testing his physical and emotional boundaries. Jackson’s focus on his team’s safety guided the response, despite later criticisms over resource allocation stemming from budget constraints and aging equipment.
Legacy and Inspiration
“Nobody wants seventy percent of effort. Have a good attitude, have a good work ethic, and give it one hundred percent. That’s going to take you a long way.”
Robby Jackson
This statement is a perfect illustration of the values we explore throughout the ‘Called to Serve’ series. The impact of Jackson extends much beyond the Palisades Fire. The LAFD’s future is strengthened by his mentoring of younger firefighters and the hard-won lessons he learned from that January experience. Having been spared more destruction, the Palisades neighborhood quietly thanks him for his leadership. His desire to become captain represents a lifetime of development, and his support for mental health services speaks to a hidden battle.
Jackson’s transformation from an inquisitive young man to a resolute leader motivates us to respect those who serve as they risk their lives and mental health on our behalf. Below, you can watch the interview done by LAFD as Robby Jackson was awarded the Firefighter of the Month January award in 2025 :
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFyFbcsO_iF/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2190716114711084
Conclusion
Robby Jackson’s enduring flame of bravery, kindled in a Los Angeles childhood and forged in fire, stands as a testament to service. From a Sunland classroom to a beachside command post, his journey reveals the heart of a firefighter. Resilient, dedicated, and hardworking. I congratulate AO Robby Jackson for being a mentor and for his undying service to his community. Discover more Inspiring stories, read another article now!
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