Heba Press
A wealthy man from Los Angeles, California, sparked outrage on social media after he posted a public request for the services of “private firefighters” to protect his property in the Pacific Palisades area.
According to a report published by CNN, Keith Wasserman, CEO of a real estate company, wrote in a social media post: “Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home in Pacific Palisades? Things are getting worse, all the neighbors’ houses are burning down. We will pay any amount!
The post, which was later deleted, was widely criticized by social media users who believed that wealthy people should not receive special treatment during emergencies.
CNN indicated that the forest fires that destroyed thousands of homes prompted some residents to take expensive measures to protect their property, such as spraying their homes with fire retardant materials or installing personal fire hydrants.
Regarding the services of private firefighters, Mike Stotts, a firefighter from Somerset, California, explained that most of them are not hired directly by wealthy individuals, but rather through insurance companies seeking to reduce their losses by protecting expensive homes.
Insurance companies such as Chubb provide specialized services that include sending certified firefighters to remove flammable materials around homes and spray them with materials that prevent the spread of fire.
Tim Bauer, vice president of a fire damage company, said his company received overwhelming requests after fires broke out, noting that costs for their services could reach $5,000 during an emergency.
In the same context, Michael Owens, a real estate developer in Los Angeles, pointed out the importance of building homes with fire-resistant materials and providing them with personal firefighting equipment, noting that the cost of equipping a home with a personal fire nozzle reaches $100,000.
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