Suffolk officials advocate for stronger measures against ‘fire chasers’ who allegedly exploit homeowners in distress.

Suffolk County Moves to Regulate “Fire Fighters”

Legislators in Suffolk are looking to curb the actions of what they call “fire fighters.” This term refers to private board-up crews that are accused of taking advantage of families in distress by encouraging them to sign expensive contracts right after a traumatic fire.

According to both officials and firefighters, these companies often arrive at disaster sites just as fast as the first responders. They show up with clipboards, pushing homeowners to quickly agree to contracts.

What these crews present as necessary emergency services can often leave homeowners in even tougher situations, staring at enormous bills they can’t manage.

One anonymous local firefighter described the situation, saying homeowners feel intense pressure as they seek to return to their properties, likening the crews to “vultures.” It’s like they’re pretending to serve those who’ve just lost everything.

The new legislation, backed by Republican county councillor Dominic Thorne, aims to require these companies to inform homeowners in writing that they are private entities and not affiliated with any government services. This is meant to put some distance between the crews and the actual emergency services.

The proposed bill will also prevent these crews from overwhelming active sites, expand enforcement rights to local lawyers, firefighters, and code officers, and impose fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for violations, with repeat offenders facing potential jail time.

Thorne, who has experience as a first responder, emphasized the need for trustworthy companies to manage the aftermath of fires affecting homes or businesses.

Gerald Tarza Jr., chair of the Suffolk County Fire and Rescue Committee, has reported an uptick in complaints about these “fire fighters” harassing homeowners in distress.

A recent report indicated that there were over 5,000 structural fire calls in 2024, each of which could lead a victim into signing a contract worth anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000.

Firefighters have expressed concerns that these companies mislead families by claiming responsibility for breaking into burned homes and filing lawsuits on their behalf.

Mike Barry, president of the Suffolk County Fire Chiefs, pointed out that victims of fires should not be exploited in such vulnerable times.

Firefighters have noted that there are safer, more reliable ways to secure property, like waiting for insurance processes to unfold.

In addition to unethical business practices, safety issues have been highlighted within what many describe as an increasingly aggressive industry. It’s not rare for these crews to approach large fire scenes inappropriately.

Reports of physical altercations over contracts have emerged, with some crews clashing while firefighters are still managing the active flames. Barry stressed the importance of protecting residents during such distressing times, saying it’s crucial that companies do not exploit people facing their worst days.