MISCONCEPTION: Private Firefighters Only Serve Their Own Clients

Misconception: Private Firefighters Only Serve Their Own Clients

As a rule, firefighters risk their lives for other people’s lives and property not for a paycheck, but for an inner drive to help when needed. Professional firefighters are fortunate to have the bonus of getting paid to be of service. Protecting people’s stuff and endangering themselves in exchange for a paycheck is no less noble than doing it for free, as do our great volunteer firefighters. The difference is professional firefighters exchange their time for being immediately available when called upon at any time of the day or night, 365 days a year.

Private firefighters are no different, as professional firefighters, they exchange their time for their expertise and availability when crisis arrives. Instead of getting paid by taxpayers, individuals pay for their time and effort. Just as paying for private security, handymen, Uber’s, cleaning services, and fast food, is discretionary, so too is hiring private firefighters. Not everyone can afford private, custom service, or can afford to take an Uber or hire a maid. We live in a capitalist culture, thankfully, so the desires of the individual drive the marketplace.

So, while everyone can’t afford everything they want, it doesn’t mean that companies never help when a need arises just because they won’t get paid. Grocery stores and department stores and trucking companies often donate their products and services during natural disasters, not for reimbursement, but for the common good. Private firefighters are no different; after they have fulfilled their commitment to their clients, private firefighters are available to help in any way their resources allow when called upon. The desire to help is innate for firefighters, they want to do the most good for the most people.

Which brings me to the misconception that private firefighters only protect their own clients. While I can’t speak for every private fire company, I can speak for Fire-Pro USA, we help as conditions allow us to help. Our policy is to help whenever and wherever we can do good. In some cases, we will be told to “Stand down” by government fire agencies, which is their prerogative. And sometimes our assistance is welcomed, it depends on the situation and policy of the fire department. There’s are a multitude of reasons a government fire department doesn’t want private firefighters assisting during their fires. But that’s a story for another day…

But no, private firefighters don’t just help their own clients. We’re available as a resource to help when help is needed, as prudence and government agencies allow.