In Episode 6 — and the final episode of 2025 — Country reaches a milestone he worked to earn: getting off probation and becoming a real Austin firefighter.

This chapter dives into some of his most defining early moments on shift, including major Christmas Day fires — most notably the Swedish Hill Bakery fire — where the job didn’t pause for the holiday. He also talks about the beginning of his dive career, learning the technical side of the department, and what it really means to earn trust behind the wheel of an apparatus.

From running different hose types to driving trucks, Country shares how those skills came together when he was assigned to the experimental truck — a role that caught every second alarm in the city.

The episode also highlights the continued influence of his mentors, the chaos and camaraderie of staying at Central, and how those early years shaped the firefighter he would become.

Stay tuned for 2026. 

In Episode 5, Country looks back on his first six months as a probationary firefighter at Central Fire Station — a station with two poles, no waiting, and no shortage of lessons.

This is where he landed on A-Shift, found his rhythm, and met his “Father of Fire,” Alex Trevino, whose mentorship shaped the way Country approached every call. From early fires to the stories still to come from his time at Central, this episode opens the door to one of the most defining chapters of his career.

In this episode, Country looks back at his start with the Austin Fire Department. After a grueling 6-month cadet training program, Country stepped into a chapter that would shape the next 30 years of his life.

He shares stories from inside the academy, the lessons that hit hardest, and the memory of one of his first fires with the Austin Fire Department. For Country, that call was no ordinary blaze — it was the Texas State Capitol. Brought to the scene by fellow firefighter James “Jim” Boynton this early experience set the tone for everything that followed.

From the nerves of rookie days to the spark that ignited a three-decade career, this episode captures the beginning of a legacy.

In this episode, Warren “Country” Weidler looks back on his time with the College Station Fire Department — a chapter full of memorable calls and lessons learned on and off duty.

Like many College Station firefighters at the time, Country also worked part-time for TEEX. But what might surprise you is what that early role actually was — long before he ever became an instructor.

From stories of teamwork to the realities of life on shift, this episode captures the people, places, and experiences that shaped my dad. 

In this episode, my dad shares what it was like leaving the University of Texas to become a firefighter. His journey led him to fireman school at TEEX in College Station — a place that tested his limits and taught lessons far beyond the classroom. From the early mornings and tough drills to the bonds built along the way, this chapter marked the true beginning of his path in the fire service.

Before the calls, the chaos, and the courage — there was a 16-year-old kid in borrowed gear, learning what it meant to serve.

In our very first episode, we go back to where it all began: my dad’s time as a volunteer firefighter in Round Rock, Texas. From his first ride-outs to the friendships that shaped him, this is the story of how it all started — and the spark that would guide the rest of his life.

Released on his birthday — a perfect tribute to where it all began.

I’m Bonnie, and I’m honored to host “Before They’re Gone”, a podcast about courage, sacrifice, and the stories we can’t afford to lose.

In Season 1, we dive into my dad’s extraordinary life of service — the moments, the lessons, and the sacrifices that defined him.

This teaser gives you a glimpse of what’s to come. Season 1 drops mid-October.

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