As the Eaton and Palisades fires burned through thousands of acres, the FSHA community found itself deeply connected to the crisis. Students, faculty, and families watched as flames threatened homes, schools, and familiar landscapes. For some, the danger was even more personal. Several members of the FSHA community who are firefighters found themselves on the front lines, risking their lives to protect the place we call home.
“This was the most dangerous and intense fire my crew and I have ever experienced. The erratic winds constantly shifted, sending embers miles ahead of the fire. We lost not just homes, but entire communities and, tragically, lives,” Mr. Aaron Van Dyck, LAFD Firefighter specialist and father to Adelina ‘25, Olivia ‘27, and Nola ‘28, recalled.
Throughout the fire, one radio message stood out:
“The priority is life, life, life. If you’re able to save property, do it—but the priority is life.”
These words, proclaimed by an unknown LAFD incident commander, drove first responders into action, making evacuations and getting people to safety their top priority. Though 17 lives were lost, Mr. Van Dyck believes that the fast action of firefighters prevented that number from reaching the hundreds.
Each fire brings unique obstacles, and for those battling the Eaton and Palisades fire, the unpredictability of the wind was particularly grueling. The high winds and dry conditions challenged the efforts to contain the flames.
“The wind was incredible. It was literally knocking people down. When you have winds like that, the normal tactics to put out fires lose their effectiveness. Our water-dropping helicopters and planes can’t fly and our hose-lines become less effective. I believe that if it wasn’t for the winds, this would have been a small fire that we put out quickly and you would have never heard of it,” Mr. Matthew Conroy, LAFD Battalion Chief and husband to Mrs. Marlena Conroy, FSHA president, said.
Many of the firefighters have noted how training and experience can never fully prepare one for the realities of such large-scale disasters.
“This is easily the most intense and dangerous fire that I have been involved in. And that’s after 20 years of doing this type of work,” Conroy said.
These brave men and women press on, fueled by the deep understanding that their efforts are not just a job but a lifeline. Every fire they battle, every home they protect, and every life they save reinforces their commitment to service. Yet they carry the weight of their duty not just as a job, but as something deeply personal.
“We’re also people, and then when we’re out there and we’re trying to save other people’s houses and belongings, especially when it is your friends, your family, or someone from your community, you want to put it out a little bit more, but at sometimes the emotional part of the job does take a toll on us,” Matthew Long, LAFD Fire Captain and Disaster Response Section Task Force and father to Hayden Long ‘27, said.
Though the Eaton and Palisades fires are now behind us, the resilience of the FSHA community continues to shine. Whether in times of crisis or everyday challenges, FSHA stands together—ready to support, rebuild, and move forward as one.
