As wildfires were devastating California this winter, headlines were focusing on firefighters, volunteers, and fleeing families. But behind the smoke, private security teams were working hard to protect the community. They weren’t just guarding property—they became lifelines, evacuating trapped residents, protecting hospitals from looters, and even saving wildlife. The fires did not just test first responders and government resources, but revealed how important private security is in disaster response. When fast security and response in unusual situations is needed, private security is the best option.
Evacuations: More than Traffic Cones
“We Became Uber Drivers with Radios”
When the Oak Ridge Fire jumped a highway near Sacramento, gridlock trapped hundreds. Security guards from a local firm, tasked with protecting a gated community, used their knowledge of backroads to guide evacuees. “We shoved elderly folks into our patrol trucks,” says guard Maria Torres. “One guy had a parrot on his shoulder. No one cared about permits—just survival.”
Guarding Ghost Towns
After the state-mandated evacuations, security teams patrolled abandoned neighborhoods. In Mendocino County, guards from Securitas intercepted arsonists trying to torch vacant homes. “They’d pour gasoline, see our flashlights, and bolt,” says team lead Amir Hassan. “We weren’t heroes. We were just… there.”
Critical Infrastructure: The Invisible Lifelines
Hospitals Under Siege
At a Santa Rosa medical center, guards fended off looters targeting oxygen tanks and medicines. “They’d smash ambulances for drugs,” says guard Carlos Mendez. His team barricaded doors with gurneys and used walkie-talkies to coordinate with police. “Cops were swamped. We held the line.”
Cell Towers and the Signal Scramble
Wildfires often knock out communications. Guards at a Verizon site in Sonoma manually kept generators running, ensuring 911 calls could connect. “No power, no water, just a flashlight and a wrench,” says tech guard Lena Müller. “If we failed, the whole county went dark.”
Wildlife Rescue: Unexpected Allies
The Goat Herders of Napa
A security team guarding a vineyard became accidental animal rescuers when flames trapped livestock. Using ATVs, they herded 200 goats to safety. “They followed our trucks like we were the Pied Piper,” laughs guard Raj Patel.
Sanctuary in the Smoke
Near Big Sur, guards at a private estate turned stables into a shelter for displaced pets and wildlife. “We had raccoons, chickens, and a very angry bobcat,” says supervisor Sofia Torres. “Vets taught us triage via Zoom. Surreal? Absolutely. Necessary? Yeah.”
The Ripple Effect: How Disasters Transform an Industry
From Rent-a-Cops to First Responders
Post-fires, demand for crisis-trained guards spiked 300% in California. Firms like Allied Universal now offer “disaster response” certifications, teaching guards to operate drones for fire mapping and administer basic first aid. “We’re not just watching cameras anymore,” says trainer Liam O’Connor. “We’re running toward what everyone else flees.”
The Mental Toll of Playing Hero
Guards face lasting trauma. After the Paradise Fire, 40% of a security team quit, citing PTSD. “I still dream about the family we couldn’t reach,” says former guard Emily Park. Companies are adding therapy benefits, but turnover remains high. “You can’t unsee a burning horse,” Park adds.
Looters, Scammers, and the New Threat Matrix
Fake Inspectors and Phony Help
Disasters attract opportunists. Security guards in Malibu caught scammers posing as FEMA agents, stealing identities from survivors. “They’d offer ‘aid applications’ on iPads loaded with spyware,” says security lead Tom Harris.
The Black Market for Ash
After the Laguna Fire, guards arrested thieves sifting through ruins for jewelry and heirlooms. “One guy had a metal detector and a shopping list,” says guard Anika Patel. “He told us, ‘I’m just recycling.’ Sure, buddy.”
Community Trust: The Double-Edged Sword
Uniforms as Targets
In some towns, exhausted residents blamed guards for “hoarding safety.” A Tahoe community threw rocks at a patrol truck, accusing them of prioritizing wealthy cabins. “We were protecting a daycare,” says guard Diego Alvarez. “But fear makes people see villains everywhere.”
From Outsiders to Neighbors
Other areas embraced guards as local heroes. In Ventura, a team that saved a historic library now gets free meals at the diner. “The cook refuses to let us pay,” laughs guard Priya Nair. “Says we’re ‘part of the recipe.’”
The Future: Preparing for the Inevitable
AI and Drones: Assistants, Not Replacements
Firms are testing AI to predict fire paths and optimize patrols. But during the Palisades Fire, guards overruled an algorithm that downplayed risks. “It didn’t smell the eucalyptus oil fueling the flames,” says drone operator Marcus Lee.
The New Normal: Guarding the Unpredictable
California’s fire season never ends now. Security companies stockpile respirators, fire-resistant gear, and mobile command centers. “We’re a mini FEMA,” says CEO Yara Hassan. “But we don’t get the glory—or the funding.”
Conclusion: More than Guards, Less than Saints
The fires didn’t invent heroism, they revealed it in unexpected places. Security teams aren’t substitutes for firefighters or paramedics, but they’ve become glue holding fractured communities together.
For every guard who stayed up guarding a pharmacy or herding goats, there’s a lesson: Disaster doesn’t discriminate, and neither should preparedness. As California rebuilds, maybe it’s time to stop asking, “Who’s in charge?” and start asking, “Who’s showing up?”