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235: My Parents' Home Burned Down: Surviving the Eaton Fire with Ronnie Evans
Manage episode 499493212 series 2967696
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Nole and Kevin are joined by their friend and fellow firefighter, Ronnie Evans, for a deeply personal and powerful conversation. The episode centers on Ronnie's harrowing experience during the recent Eaton Fire, where he, while on duty, had to watch his childhood home burn to the ground as his own home was simultaneously threatened. Ronnie shares a minute-by-minute account of that night—the difficult calls with his father, the chaos of evacuating his family, and the helpless feeling of watching his community burn.
Beyond the fire, Ronnie discusses his journey into the fire service through the grueling LA County Fire Camps, the life-altering perspective shift of becoming a young father, and his brilliant "plate" analogy for balancing the heavy commitments of work, family, and personal growth. This is a story of devastating loss, incredible resilience, and the hard-earned wisdom that comes from weathering the storm.
Key Topics & Timestamps
- (01:56) - Welcome, Ronnie Evans
- (02:54) - The origins of Ronnie's nickname, "Regular Ronnie," and the dangers of revealing your pet peeves in a fire station.
- (05:40) - Ronnie's start in the fire service as a student worker and being reluctantly pushed to apply for the Fire Suppression Aide (FSA) program.
- (08:20) - The brutal reality of his first day of training and the year-long physical transformation it took to prepare for the academy.
- (11:35) - What is an FSA? A look inside LA County's Type 1 Hand Crews.
- (17:28) - Juggling a new baby, a wife in nursing school, and the financial struggles of being an FSA during a hiring freeze.
- (18:45) - The story of getting the call for the fire academy five months before his wedding.
- (21:18) - How becoming a father immediately changes your priorities and provides the "death of selfishness."
- (25:14) - The Eaton Fire: The story begins, starting with the 4 a.m. winds.
- (28:00) - The phone calls with his dad and the moment of regret over his initial "you'll be fine" assessment.
- (30:01) - The chaotic scene evacuating his elderly parents, his grandma, and his young children.
- (31:00) - The "blowtorch" conditions and the grim reality of telling friends their homes were gone.
- (33:00) - The devastating moment he saw his childhood home fully engulfed in 40-foot flames.
- (34:00) - Believing his own house was also lost and the relief of finding it still standing amidst the destruction.
- (37:41) - An important discussion: Why staying behind to "defend your home with a garden hose" was not a viable or safe option.
- (43:20) - The aftermath: The immense stress of displacement and trying to help his parents start over.
- (49:15) - A lesson for all first responders: Balancing the professional "we've got this" attitude with the reality of worst-case scenarios for your own family.
- (01:04:24) - The Plate Analogy: Ronnie’s brilliant concept for managing life’s commitments by categorizing them as "steaks," "sides," and "salads."
- (01:14:39) - A key fatherhood lesson: How to react to your children to create a safe space for them to be honest with you.
- (01:22:12) - An interesting question: What is the difference between having a "goal" and having an "agenda"?
- Sign up for this year's 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb!
- Send us an email: [email protected]
- Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program!
- The Fire You Carry Instagram.
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