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“Brandon Smith [Leading with Conviction 2020] couldn’t believe what his eyes were watching.
“A day after the Eaton Fire ravaged through Altadena, a friend sent Smith a video of the street his grandparents’ home was on.
“The home — a long-standing source of joy and love that hosted everything from holiday celebrations to birthday parties — was gone. All that stood was ash and bricks.
“‘It’s just devastating,’ Smith said. ‘The irony is that I work as a firefighter and I’ve consoled hundreds of homeowners after fires and said, ‘It’ll be OK. You can rebuild. Just be thankful that you’re alive and for your health.’
“‘It’s different when it hits you though. I’m blessed that my family is alive and that we’re all safe,’ Smith added.
“Smith’s grandparents — Roy and Beverley Hillstock — lived in the house for 56 years. They couple moved into the residence in the 1960s when Altadena was one of the few areas Black people could buy houses in the Los Angeles area.
“They raised four children in the home and welcomed 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and countless other family and friends for gatherings.
“‘If somebody needed a place to stay, they were there. If somebody needed some food or needed a place to rest, they were there,’ Smith said. ‘My grandparents are very big pillars in the community and are there to help anyone out in need.’
“He later added: ‘It’s shocking to see the whole city is gone. Just devastated. Blocks upon blocks upon blocks … it looks like a war zone.’
“Smith himself grew up in the home, coming to live with his grandparents when he was only a few months old.
“And the loss of the structure his especially close to home for Smith, who is doing meaningful and impactful work in the Black firefighting community.
“Smith co-founded the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP) upon being released from prison in 2014.
“FFRP is a tuition-free fire academy and job placement program for marginalized communities in California that helps current and formerly incarcerated people build firefighting careers.
“To date, the FFRP has helped more than 300 formerly incarcerated people find jobs as firefighters.
“It’s a career Smith never imagined for himself growing up in Altadena.”
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