Suffolk County Bans Exploitative Homeboarding Companies

Suffolk County has officially enacted a law banning what many call “fire fighters,” which prevents unscrupulous homeboarding companies from crowding around fire scenes and pressuring grieving families into costly contracts.

The county executive, Ed Romain, signed this legislation on Wednesday, shortly after a Suffolk lawmaker approved it.

“It’s just unthinkable to take advantage of vulnerable families suffering from loss,” Romain said. “This new law will hold accountable those who misrepresent themselves.”

This measure, championed by former first responder and Republican MP Dominic Thorne, creates a 1,000-foot buffer around fire trucks to keep these companies from swarming active scenes.

Additionally, it requires written disclosures for homeowners, clarifying that these companies will not be allowed to operate within government contracts. The penalties have also increased significantly: fines now reach up to $5,000 for repeated offenders, potentially leading to year-long suspensions for violations.

“As a first responder, I know how crucial it is for a trustworthy company to handle the aftermath of a fire,” Thorne remarked.

This crackdown is particularly significant as it follows nearly a decade of efforts to regulate the industry—in 2015, Suffolk first attempted to address this problem with a law that required registration but didn’t seem to have an effect, allowing “fire fighters” to continue their activities.

Local first responders report that these crews often invade fire sites, clipboard in hand, pushing distressed families to sign contracts even as they deal with the immediate aftermath of the emergency.

There’s a troubling narrative that some in the industry present their services falsely as “essential,” which can mislead homeowners and often results in shockingly high charges.

“One guy—he swoops in like a vulture, I swear. I saw him trying to get a homeowner to sign up while they were still dealing with smoke inhalation and crying over their lost dog,” said an anonymous firefighter.

County executives have warned those engaging in such practices, stating flatly, “If you target Suffolk County residents, you will be held accountable,” Romain added.