One of the main differences between public and public private fire protection organizationsboth offer emergency response services in their local communities, which is how they are funded.

According to Frontline Wildfire, they can contract with communities to provide firefighting services, as well as certain insurance companies that offer firefighting services to customers who purchase high-value home insurance policies.

However, while their purpose goes beyond serving the elite, they can also be hired by individuals who want access to firefighting services in the event of a fire in their property.

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According to Frontline Wildfire, these companies are used in times when “public resources are stretched very thin.”

In fact, the U.S. Forest Service often contracts with private fire protection organizations to fight wildfires because “it can't be just state fire departments.” sufficient manpower or resources to cope with these natural disasters,” according to Frontline Wildfire.

Plumes of smoke are seen burning in Pacific Palisades, California on January 7, 2025. (via DAVID SWANSON/AFP Getty Images/Getty Images)

The National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA) currently represents more than 250 private-sector contracting companies in 28 states, which can employ nearly 10,000 workers during the height of fire season.

According to the association, private contract resources, including national and regional 20-person fire crews, engines, dozers, tenders and other specialized equipment and support services, give agencies the flexibility they need to effectively increase or decrease costs.

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Meanwhile, the contractor covers training, insurance costs, benefits, equipment and transportation.

Bryan Wheelock, vice president of Grayback Forestry, an Oregon-based private firefighting company, told The New York Times that a dedicated fire crew of two people and a small vehicle can cost about $3,000 a day. However, a larger crew of about twenty firefighters and four trucks can cost up to $10,000 a day.

On 8 January 2025, burnt flats from the Eaton Fire were seen. (Jon Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Cotton Holdings founder and CEO Pete Bell said their services “vary greatly depending on the scope and scale of the project,” and fees can range from a few hundred dollars for small projects to several million for large restoration or reconstruction efforts.

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“Regardless of size, our commitment is to provide high-quality service to meet the needs of those we support. No ask is too small when it comes to supporting our partners,” said Bell.

Cotton Holdings is an infrastructure support services company with various subsidiaries involved in disaster, relief and recovery.

However, Leo Grillo, who runs the Delta Rescue animal sanctuary and owns his own fire trucks, said there are liability issues to consider when it comes to private firefighters.

A view of structures and homes damaged by the Palisades wildfires in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images)

“Private forces are at greater risk. They can only go where they are contracted and other private property is restricted,” he said.