Move over private water tankers, Los Angeles elites hiring private firefighters

Private water tankers are an usual sight in Indian cities as people usually have to hire them, especially in summers, when their taps run dry.

The elites of Los Angeles, which has been ravaged by never-seen-before wildfires, are renting out private fire engines. Wildfires, including the deadliest one in the Palisades, raged for the sixth day on January 13. Twenty-four people were killed, and 16 others reported missing due to the wildfires in Los Angeles. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed.

Firefighters raced against time with limited resources to contain the inferno. The weather, with Santa Ana winds reaching hurricane force, also fanned the wildfires. Amid the death and devastation, the elites of Los Angeles were hiring private firefighters for USD 2,000 an hour to protect their properties, according to The Mail on Sunday.

The private fire-fighting companies landed with their own fire engines, water supplies, fire-retarding chemicals, and other industrial-grade equipment, according to reports.

They are in great demand now.

“My phone has been ringing off the hook. Demand has never been higher,” Chris Dunn, owner of Covered 6, which provides first-responder services to Hollywood’s elite, told The Mail on Sunday. “This week’s events have shown you can’t trust the city to protect your property. I have the money, so why not?” one of the elites of Los Angeles told the UK-based newspaper.

Firefighting helicopters have been making massive water drops as the wildfire continues to spread. But the public firefighting system has been overwhelmed. This is when those who could afford it got private help. Real estate mogul Rick Caruso used private firefighters to save his properties, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

It said a firetruck, non-potable-water trucks and about a dozen private firefighters from five different private companies were stationed outside Caruso’s home. Caruso was one among many who used private firefighters to help during the deadly firestorms, according to The LA Times.

While private fire-fighting companies made profits, those who were seeking their help faced massive criticism online. Keith Wasserman, a millionaire real estate investor, was trolled when he sought to be connected to private firefighters to save his house in the Pacific Palisades, according to NY Post.

In a post that Wasserman later deleted, he asked: “Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades? Need to act fast here. All the neighbours’ houses were burning. Will pay any amount. Thank you.”

The use of private firefighting muscle by the wealthy has been criticised. People say they exacerbate class divides during the worst of times. But people like Caruso would rather get private help than watch his fortunes turn to ashes.

“He’s smart, he wants to be ready,” a firefighter from a company called Wildland, stationed in Caruso’s neighbourhood, told The LA Times.

“Caruso knew the fire risks, considering he previously served as a Commissioner for the LA Department of Water and Power. The businessman was also aware of Los Angeles’ public fire service limitations, which is why he used a private firefighting service to help save the [The Palisades Village] mall,” posted influencer and investor Collin Rugg on X.

Not every private firefighting officer is summoned by individuals. Even insurance companies that have to pay millions in case of properties being destroyed engage private firefighters, according to US media reports.

In any case, private firefighters are the latest on-call service for the elites of Los Angeles, who have seen mansions turn into rubble. Though the elites are facing the heat for calling in private help, the companies are seeing the busiest of times.