Robby Jackson - Apparatus Operator

On January 7, 2025, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Apparatus Operator (AO) Robby Jackson was teaching an auto-extrication class in Sunland, Los Angeles, when he first heard over his radio that there was a fire in the Palisades.

“You could see the smoke in the distance and tell it was getting bigger,”

he remembered. He heard more resources being called over the radio and knew quickly that this fire would be significant. But no one could have anticipated just how significant.

Shortly thereafter, AO Jackson received a call from the LAFD’s tactical planning division requesting help to move trailers, generators, and equipment and set up what became the incident command center, or “base camp,” at Will Rogers State Beach. AO Jackson cut the class short and pivoted to join the crew headed to the Pacific Palisades.

From where apparatus should park, to the best location to stage the operations trailer, to ensuring enough resources for the hundreds of personnel going in and out of base camp, AO Jackson played an integral role in organizing and establishing this vital element of a major incident response. He facilitated the deployment of tools, equipment, and fuel to firefighters on the fire line protecting homes and communities.

Though most of his time was spent at the Will Rogers base camp, AO Jackson traveled back and forth to the multiple other fires that threatened the city during the month of January. He ensured that those teams had the support and resources they needed.

Though the Palisades Fire was not AO Jackson’s first significant fire, it was his first time being involved with “ground support,” or the logistical side of the process. But his value of processes and strategies is part of what makes him such a well-rounded firefighter and critical member of the LAFD’s In-Service Training division. He has always wanted to understand the “why” behind how aspects of the Department work, and the various positions he has held during his 10 years on the job reflect that desire to learn.

Growing up in the LAFD world through his father, an LAFD firefighter, Jackson always knew what he wanted to do with his life. He grew up loving the outdoors and being active in sports like mountain and dirt biking. That, paired with his interest in and knack for mechanics, made a career in the fire service perfectly aligned.

Jackson went through the Explorer program, a Los Angeles County training program for youth aged 14-20, and became an LAFD Cadet in high school. He also joined LAFD’s Crew 3, a volunteer hand crew that provides those interested in the fire service with wildland classes and hands-on training. At every opportunity, Jackson was sharpening his skills, visiting stations, and gleaning as much as he could to prepare for his dream career.

Jackson graduated in 2015 at 20 years old as class leader, a title given to those who excel across every specialty in the drill tower.

“It’s not about working for the title of being number one at what you’re doing,” he emphasized. “I wasn’t in pursuit of class leader, but I was in pursuit of doing my best.”

Firefighter Jackson carried this ethos throughout his time as a probationary firefighter and beyond. At LAFD Fire Station 3, his third and final station as a probationary firefighter, he began training in Urban Search & Rescue (USAR), taking every class available to grow in that expertise. This led him to join the LAFD’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) task force, which activates when multi-agency mutual aid is required.

His first FEMA task force deployment was to Florida when Hurricane Milton impacted the region. He and the LAFD’s FEMA crew drove across the country and assisted the local agencies with search and recovery efforts.

“Everything that you learn in a different specialty will make you a better firefighter down the road,”

AO Jackson shared when considering how dynamic his experience in the fire service has been. It was for this reason that he promoted to engineer, and then to apparatus operator, his current role with the LAFD.

“The role that I have now as an AO, that is something I truly enjoy. It’s a good mixture of big responsibility and fulfillment,” he emphasized.

With plenty of time left in his firefighting career, the possibilities are endless for AO Jackson. He looks forward to promoting to captain one day, but for now, he is enjoying the ride.

“Nobody wants seventy percent of effort,” AO Jackson emphasized, reflecting on the desire to grow that has been the driving force behind his LAFD experience. To firefighter hopefuls, he says, “Have a good attitude, have a good work ethic, and give it one hundred percent. That’s going to take you a long way.”