10/09/2026
Recently, a question was asked: “Why should a Fire Chief care what board-up company boards up a resident's home?”
A Fire Chief should care about which board-up company secures a resident’s home after a fire because the department’s responsibility to the community doesn’t necessarily end when the fire is out and the last apparatus leaves the scene.
The issue isn’t about promoting one company over another. It’s about protecting the residents the department just worked so hard to save, maintaining public trust, and ensuring that a family dealing with a devastating loss isn’t left vulnerable to further problems.
1. Protecting the people your firefighters just helped
After a fire, homeowners are often in shock. They may have lost their belongings, been displaced from their home, or be unsure what to do next. They are especially vulnerable to people who show up offering immediate help.
A Fire Chief should want to know that the company securing the home:
• Treats the homeowner with compassion and respect.
• Explains the work being performed and the associated costs.
• Does not pressure the homeowner into unnecessary services or agreements.
• Understands that the family is dealing with a crisis, not shopping for a contractor.
• Leaves the property properly secured against unauthorized entry, weather, and further damage.
The firefighters protect the family during the emergency. The board-up company should help protect that family after the emergency.
2. Protecting the department’s reputation and public trust
Residents may not distinguish between a company that arrives at a fire scene and the fire department that is operating there. If a contractor behaves unprofessionally, pressures a family, or creates a billing dispute, the homeowner may associate that experience with the department that allowed the company access to the scene.
Even if the fire department had no involvement in the contractor’s business practices, the department’s reputation can still be affected.
A Chief has a legitimate interest in whether companies operating around the department’s scenes demonstrate the same professionalism, integrity, and concern for the community that firefighters are expected to demonstrate.
3. Preventing predatory practices at fire scenes
Not every board-up company operates the same way. Some focus on emergency stabilization and victim assistance. Others may use aggressive solicitation tactics to secure work immediately after a fire.
A Chief should be concerned about practices such as:
• Pressuring distraught homeowners to sign contracts before they understand them.
• Making unclear representations about insurance coverage or out-of-pocket expenses.
• Performing work without adequately explaining the scope or price.
• Using the emergency scene to solicit additional restoration or reconstruction work.
• Leaving residents confused about who is responsible for the bill.
4. Maintaining scene safety and respecting Incident Command
A board-up company is entering a scene where firefighters may still be conducting overhaul, investigating the origin and cause of the fire, managing utilities, or addressing structural hazards.
The Chief should care whether the company:
• Checks in with Incident Command before approaching the structure.
• Respects hot zones, collapse zones, and other safety restrictions.
• Coordinates its work with fire investigators and other personnel.
• Understands that the scene remains under fire department control until released.
5. Helping families understand their options
Fire victims often don't know what happens after the fire department leaves. They may not know whom to call, how to secure the home, or what questions to ask about insurance and billing.
A responsible board-up provider should be able to explain the immediate next steps without making promises it cannot keep.
When a company has a genuine victim-assistance philosophy, it can help bridge the gap between the emergency response and the family's recovery.
6. Supporting the community without compromising fairness
Fire Chiefs have a responsibility to act in the public interest. That doesn't mean a department must automatically endorse a particular board-up company or guarantee that a contractor will be used.
It means the department should consider whether its scene-access practices, referrals, or contractor policies protect residents and preserve public confidence.
Departments can establish clear, consistent expectations for any company operating at their scenes, including:
• Professional conduct and transparent billing.
• Appropriate insurance and licensing where required.
• Compliance with Incident Command and scene-safety requirements.
• Respect for homeowner choice and applicable laws.
The bottom line for a Fire Chief
The question isn't simply, "Who is going to put plywood over the windows?"
The more important questions are:
• Who is protecting the homeowner from being taken advantage of during one of the worst days of their life?
• Who is making sure the property is secured properly?
• Who is respecting the firefighters and the Incident Commander?
• Who is helping the family understand what comes next?
• Who is treating the homeowner as a person in crisis rather than a business opportunity?
A Fire Chief may not be responsible for choosing a homeowner's contractor, but the Chief has a legitimate interest in what happens to residents at and immediately after a fire scene.
For a company such as 1-800-BoardUp, that creates an opportunity to demonstrate value beyond the physical work. By consistently supporting firefighters, respecting Incident Command, providing professional emergency board-up services, and putting victim assistance first, the company can build trust with departments and the communities they serve.
The strongest relationship isn't built by asking a Chief to send every job to one company. It's built by demonstrating that, when a family needs help, the company will treat that family with the same professionalism, compassion, and respect that the fire department expects of itself.
Send a message to learn more
