Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Their presence isn’t without controversy. Private firefighters hired by homeowners directly have drawn criticism for heightening class divides during disasters.

My fear that the racism card would not be played was unfounded.

1 posted on 01/11/2025 10:37:23 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies ]


To: E. Pluribus Unum

If the city and state did their jobs then the middle class and poor folks would not see their houses burn down...

It is a great way to learn that lesson.


2 posted on 01/11/2025 10:39:39 AM PST by cgbg (It is time to pull the Deep State out of the mass media--like ticks from a dog.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum
The homeowner keeps their home and the insurance company doesn’t have to make a hefty payout to rebuild.

This is how insurance is supposed to work, investing the cash flow in profitable mitigations.

3 posted on 01/11/2025 10:40:09 AM PST by Carry_Okie (The tree of liberty needs a rope.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

There are sprinkler remote control systems and home monitoring systems.

Homeowners can act as their own firemen from motel rooms miles away.


4 posted on 01/11/2025 10:49:04 AM PST by Brian Griffin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

The real class divide is that all this green enviro BS is from rich liberals. Who definitely can afford insurance policies with private firefighters. The hoipoloi, not so much. CA has learned nothing in the last 50 years, and forgotten what little they ever knew.


5 posted on 01/11/2025 10:49:48 AM PST by RedElement
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

In 1987 I visited Los Angeles.

I saw the “Armed Response” signs of private security companies on many lawns.


6 posted on 01/11/2025 10:51:24 AM PST by Brian Griffin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum
Before there were government fire departments, all fire companies were private. They were started by insurance companies to protect their assets. Businesses and homes that were covered had a distinctive plaque (called "fire marks") on the exterior that told the firemen which buildings were covered under the insurance company they were working for. Some of these fire marks can still be seen on historical buildings, mostly in the eastern US, and are quite the collectors items among fire history buffs:


7 posted on 01/11/2025 10:51:27 AM PST by fidelis (Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

The left is going to have to erect enormous distractions from scrutiny of their one party control of policies.


8 posted on 01/11/2025 10:51:42 AM PST by sopo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum; All

About 2/3 of firefighters in the USA are volunteers.

THe number of volunteers is dwindling as the regulatory requirements for volunteers has become more and more burdensome.


9 posted on 01/11/2025 10:53:16 AM PST by marktwain (The Republic is at risk. Resistance to the Democratic Party is Resistance to Tyranny. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

No doubt an LA Slimes smear on Rick Caruso, Karen Bass’s opponent in 2022 and likely opponent in 2026, because he hired a private firefighting crew to put out fires to a shopping center he owned in the area.


16 posted on 01/11/2025 11:02:42 AM PST by dowcaet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWijx_AgPiA


18 posted on 01/11/2025 11:03:34 AM PST by BipolarBob (I took my girlfriend to a fruit orchard. I didn't get it but she said she wanted to apple watch.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Private firefighters are included with my USAA homeowner’s policy at no extra charge. In my area it is Chloeta - https://www.chloeta.com/ - a Native American owned business.

During any wildfire situation they show up on your property with men and equipment to save your house. Along with wetting down the house, they will cut down trees they feel may be a threat in windy, fire situations. USAA gave me the option to opt-out if I was not okay with that. My belief: Cut the trees, save my home.


19 posted on 01/11/2025 11:08:29 AM PST by anonsquared
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

I bet that these private firefighters are not DEI hires!


22 posted on 01/11/2025 11:20:05 AM PST by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

I have no problem with high dollar properties having their own fire protection. I would like it too, but that is how the ball rolls.


24 posted on 01/11/2025 11:27:25 AM PST by abigkahuna
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Better for everybody’s house to burn down than that there be any inequality in fighting the fire.

Leftism is based entirely on envy, resentment and revenge.


26 posted on 01/11/2025 11:42:52 AM PST by Orosius (“Wake America Up Again )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Lol, someone always fishes it out.


32 posted on 01/11/2025 12:59:01 PM PST by TXBlair (We will not forget Benghazi.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

This helps everyone .
Rich people protecting their homes can free up resources for helping others.


33 posted on 01/11/2025 12:59:26 PM PST by HereInTheHeartland (Have you seen Joe Biden's picture on a milk carton?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

Probably not DEI compliant in their hiring practices...Newscum and his gang will be after them soon if they are not successful in saving their properties.


37 posted on 01/11/2025 2:02:49 PM PST by RetiredTexasVet (We used to be a Republic, we are now a Fascist Klepto-Thugocracy. until Jan 20, 2025)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

39 posted on 01/11/2025 2:32:42 PM PST by Dick Bachert (=)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

From an interview I watched this a.m., private firefighter company 1) not cheap but the cost is fractional compared to the value of the protected prop; 2) staffed with ‘moonlighting’ firefighters who are on their rotational days off from their agencies; 3) have their own water tenders and can spray home with fire retardant 4) will put out embers on neighboring props so it doesn’t spread to the prop they are protecting 5) repected by agency firefighters because some on the crew could be their work-mates/union brothers

I’m guessing they might also hire former-convict trained firefighters who after release can’t get hired on with an agency.


42 posted on 01/11/2025 4:02:18 PM PST by blueplum ("...this moment is your moment: it belongs to you... " President Donald J. Trump, Jan 20, 2017) )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: E. Pluribus Unum

I’m surprised more people in these fire-prone areas don’t build using more metal and stone, and landscape to limit vegetation around the home. Gonna be hard for your home to burn down if most of it isn’t flammable!


44 posted on 01/11/2025 7:50:19 PM PST by Svartalfiar (-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson