Behind the Scenes: First hand experience assisting with the Palisades Fire

Feb 26, 2025

In this episode, host OP Almaraz guides listeners through firsthand accounts of a recent, chaotic wildfire event. His guests/staff, Erika and Ally, share their experiences working on the frontlines during the crisis. They discuss the intense days following the wildfire—from the initial panic on Tuesday through the exhausting days of Wednesday, Thursday, and the weekend—when they received frantic calls from homeowners desperate for wildfire protection.

Key themes include:

• Wildfire Response Realities:
  Erika and Ally explain how homeowners, overwhelmed with anxiety, often expected a firefighter-like response. They clarify that while their role is to protect properties by managing vegetation and applying fire retardants, they do not stay on-site to monitor homes continuously during an active fire.
• Community Connection & Education:
  Amid the chaos, many clients expressed genuine gratitude for the calm and informative support they received. The conversation highlights that wildfire prevention is a year-round effort, emphasizing proactive measures over last-minute responses.
• Behind the Scenes Challenges:
  The episode provides insights into the "war room" environment where the team juggled high call volumes, coordinated limited crew resources, and navigated logistical hurdles. Anecdotes, like Edwin’s fire-retardant-covered boots, showcase both the physical and emotional demands of the work.
• Looking Ahead:
  With the immediate crisis transitioning to post-fire challenges such as smoke management and concerns over toxic residues, OP Almaraz, Erika, and Ally stress the importance of preparation. They urge homeowners to treat wildfire prevention like a “seatbelt”—an essential measure that provides an extra layer of safety.

In a groundbreaking development, Allied Disaster Defense is now franchising its wildfire defense expertise, signaling a new era for an industry poised to become one of the most in-demand in the coming years. This episode offers a timely glimpse into how proactive wildfire defense can transform communities and create vast opportunities for growth.

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Show Notes

• Introduction (00:00 – 00:00:14)
  • Podcast Focus: Latest trends in protecting properties against wildfire.
  • Host: OP Almaraz welcomes listeners and sets the stage for a special episode featuring insights from his guests.
• Initial Recollections (00:00:14 – 00:01:07)
  • Guests Introduced: Erika and Ally share their frontline experiences during the wildfire.
  • Event Overview: Discussion of the intense days starting Tuesday when chaos unfolded.
• Homeowner Experiences & Expectations (00:01:07 – 00:03:03)
  • Emotional Calls: Erika and Ally recount frantic calls from distressed homeowners.
  • Clarifying Roles: They explain that their work focuses on prevention—managing vegetation and applying fire retardants—not continuous monitoring of homes.
• Team’s Operational Challenges (00:03:03 – 00:05:12)
  • Logistical Hurdles: High call volumes, limited crew availability, and the pressure to respond quickly.
  • Anecdotes: Personal stories such as Edwin’s fire-retardant-covered boots illustrate the demanding environment.
• Emphasizing Proactive Prevention (00:05:12 – 00:07:38)
  • Year-Round Preparedness: The guests stress the importance of planning ahead to avoid last-minute emergencies.
  • Learning Experiences: Reflections on how the intense period led to growth and better wildfire prevention strategies.
• Community Dynamics & Communication (00:07:38 – 00:09:24)
  • Neighborhood Solidarity: How local apps, word-of-mouth, and community groups helped disseminate their contact information.
  • Connection: Stories of community cooperation in the face of crisis.
• Post-Fire Concerns & Ongoing Services (00:09:24 – 00:14:31)
  • Transition to Recovery: Discussion of challenges like smoke management and toxic residue.
  • Homeowner Anxiety: Accounts of homeowners’ stress over returning to damaged or unfamiliar spaces, and the steps being taken to address these issues.
• Final Reflections & Key Takeaways (00:14:31 – 00:20:45)
  • Proactive Preparedness: Emphasis on the necessity of preparing for wildfires in advance, treating prevention measures as critical as a seatbelt.
  • Community Effort: A call for neighborhoods to band together and protect their homes collectively.
  • Long-Term Impact: Thoughts on how communities will evolve post-crisis and the importance of early investment in wildfire prevention.
• Conclusion (00:20:45 – 00:21:00)
  • Final Thanks: OP Almaraz thanks Erika, Ally, and the listeners.
  • Call to Action: Encouragement to subscribe, follow on social media, and stay informed on wildfire protection.