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Fire Commentary: The Foreclosure Issue
Article and photo by Grant Parker
With foreclosure rates dramatically increasing around the United States, has your department looked at how it will address the associated problems? An increase in foreclosure and bankruptcy means an increase in vacant properties.
In this year alone, new foreclosure listings have doubled since January, from 8,000 to 16,000 homes in March.(1) The City of Merced, a city of 80,000 in Central California, estimates that one out of 82 homeowners in the city is having problems paying their mortgage, which is among the top 10 foreclosure rates in the nation, according to the City of Merced and the Merced Sun Star. (2,3)
Has your department discussed how to deal with this? Are you making mental notes? As the number of vacant house fires increases, will the number of firefighter injuries climb along with them? At what point does a company officer decide not to go interior? Remember, firefighter safety is our number-one priority. If it isn't safe and justifiable, don't risk life over wood and stucco.
What is the homeless population doing with these vacant properties? Just because the homeowner has moved out doesn't mean others haven't moved in. What kind of risks will you take to protect such structures? What preplanning do you have in place? Do you note vacant homes on your maps?
With the heat of the summer on the way and empty homes in abundance, what kind of grass and brush issues will arise? As people abandon properties, the bank will not take care of them. Dead grass and brush means a higher fire load. Take time to sit down with your crew and make sure you are on the same page in addressing abandoned structures. This is the time to take a look at the downturn in the economy and make it benefit you and your department: Find out what buildings in town will be demolished, and turn them into a training burn opportunity, in accordance with National Fire Protection Association 1403, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions.(4)
Grant Parker is an engineer with Merced City (CA) Fire/Rescue.
1. Forclosurelistings.com.
2. MercedSunStar.com
3. CityofMerced.org.
4. www.NFPA.org.
