Three Reasons Why Firefighting is Getting Costlier

wildfires getting costlier It turns out that 2017 was a banner year, and ultimately a tragic one, for the bottom line among the world’s insurance carriers. Unparalleled natural disasters around the world will result in more than $135 billion in claims and losses. Total property losses, after you factor in uninsured property, will exceed $330 million. Only 2011, which included the Japanese earthquake and subsequent tsunami at the Fukushima nuclear plant, resulted in greater losses. While it’s impossible to put monetary value on the loss of life, one can only imagine the scale of tragedy after so many floods, hurricanes, severe storms, and wildfires. Possibly more distressing is the overwhelming opinion among the scientific community that these natural disasters, caused and amplified by a number of factors, will only increase in years to come.

#1: Wildfires Are Getting Bigger and More Frequent

In the instance of wildfires, there’s already been a demonstrable increase in the frequency and ferocity of these blazes, most recently seen with California’s record-setting fires over this past autumn and winter. The fire season has been stretched another 40-50 days and, unfortunately, fire crews may need to get used to battling these fires during Christmas and New Years.

#2: Insurance Companies Are Taking Preventative Measures and Hiring Privatized Fire Crews

In response to this rise in fires and their potential for destruction, insurance carriers have increased their reliance on contracted fire crews. In addition to fighting fires, these privatized crews are deployed to insured homes to implement preventative measures such as spraying hydrofoam, setting sprinklers, and clearing away dried debris from gutters and around the property.

#3: The Government is Spending More on Infrastructural Repairs and Prevention

Then, of course, there’s the business of rebuilding, repairing, and disaster relief. State infrastructure will require more upkeep and repair, not to mention new roads to improve response to remote areas in fire-prone parts of the state. This means lucrative deals for some paving and road companies, but ultimately it means spending more taxpayer money, despite recent fire budget cuts. With the economy on the rise, development into these outlying areas won’t slow any time soon; these communities need to concern themselves with the risks they’re taking in these hot spots, and this will birth all sorts of fire prevention businesses. These wildfires have led to enormous sums of money changing hands, and this cash flow will likely continue in the form of opportunities and casualty reimbursements. Hopefully, as communities and leaders embrace the reality that fires are a clear and present danger, more of this money will be invested in prevention rather than restoration of that which is already lost.

PROTECTING AMERICAN FIREFIGHTERS FOR OVER 25 YEARS

For over 25 years, Boise Mobile Equipment has served our nation’s fire fighters by engineering state-of-the-art fire engines. The safety of our nation’s firefighters is our number one priority, so BME fire apparatus are built to protect fire crews by shielding them from the lethal elements they encounter when battling fires. Our fire trucks are engineered for rugged off-road terrain, built with reinforced TIG-welded aluminum tubular bodies and are tilt-tested to withstand horizontal grades of more than 32 degrees. BME fire trucks are trusted by fire service organizations like CAL FIRE and the USDA Forest Service, as well as numerous municipal fire departments across the country. In fact, many of our apparatus were used to help battle the recent ‘mega fires’ in CaliforniaMontana, Oregon and Idaho. Our engineers and mechanics are highly trained, allowing them to manufacture custom vehicles built to any specs. We understand that one size does not fit all in the fire industry, as every department and organization needs different equipment to do its job. That’s why we are known for our ‘built-to-spec’ manufacturing process. Rather than the traditional ‘cookie cutter’ manufacturing process where each truck is built the same and additional specs are charged as add-ons, BME builds each of its vehicles custom to every department’s specific needs. BME’s recent contracts with Forest Service and CAL FIRE allow for tag-on’s that could make the purchase of your new apparatus faster, easier and far less costly.  For more information regarding the purchase of a BME fire apparatus, please contact us by phone at (800) 445-8342. Sources: http://gulfnews.com/news/ americas/usa/firefighting-at- christmas-may-become-normal- in-california-1.2138273 https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/06/shirley-fire-budget-climate-change/   

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