Heat on NY ‘fire chaser’

A fire in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where at the bottom right, leaning against the car, is a man wearing a First Response hoodie. — ©2023 The New York Times Company.

WHEN a house is on fire, firefighters race toward the flames. But they aren’t the only ones.

Right behind them are workers in a little-known industry who offer traumatised homeowners what is known as emergency mitigation services. These are the crews that will board up and secure broken doors and windows and help head off further smoke and water damage.