Romer Debus managing partner Pierre Debus says the economic fallout from the California wildfires will continue to be a “sad story.”
One of the main differences between public and Private fire prevention organizationswhich both provide emergency response services in their local communities, is how they are funded.
According to Frontline Wildfire, they can work with communities to provide firefighting services, as well as with certain insurance companies that provide firefighting services to customers who purchase high-value home insurance policies.
However, they can also be hired by people who want to ensure they have access to fire services in the event of a fire on their property, although their purpose goes beyond serving the elite.
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According to Frontline Wildfire, these companies are hit at times when “public resources are stretched thin.”
In fact, the US Forest Service often contracts with private fire prevention agencies to suppress wildfires “because public fire agencies alone may not do it. Adequate manpower or resources According to Frontline Wildfire, to deal with these natural disasters.
Plumes of smoke are seen as a brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades, California on January 7, 2025. (DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
The National Fire Suppression Association (NWSA) currently represents more than 250 private sector contracting companies in 28 states that can organize a workforce of approximately 10,000 people during the fire season.
Private contract resources, including 20-person national and regional fire crews, engines, bulldozers, tenders and other specialized equipment and support services, give agencies the flexibility to increase or decrease support costs, according to the association.
In addition, the contractor bears the costs of training, insurance, benefits, equipment and transportation.
Brian Wheelock, vice president of Oregon-based private firefighting company Grayback Forestry, told The New York Times that a private fire crew of two people and a small vehicle can cost about $3,000 a day. However, a larger crew of nearly two dozen firefighters and four trucks can earn up to $10,000 a day.
Flats destroyed by the Eaton fire on January 8, 2025. (John Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Pete Bell, founder and co-director of Cotton Holdings, said their services “vary greatly depending on the scope and scale of the project,” and costs can range from a few hundred dollars for smaller projects to several million for extensive renovation or restoration efforts. be
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“Regardless of size, our commitment is to provide high-quality service to meet the needs of those we support. No request is too small to support our partners,” Bell said.
Cotton Holdings is an infrastructure support services company with various subsidiaries that manage natural disaster, relief and recovery efforts.
However, Leo Grillo, who runs the Delta Rescue animal shelter and owns his own fire trucks, says there are liability issues to consider with private firefighters.
A view of buildings and homes damaged by the Palisades fires in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images)
“Private forces are more dangerous. They can only go where they are contracted and other private property is off limits,” he said.