This legislation requires the Fire Department to establish a scene around an emergency where unauthorized individuals are not allowed. A yellow tape would establish the scene, and the legislation only provides for authorized individuals such as first responders, family of any survivors, DHCD, Red Cross, and other city agencies and employees. Unauthorized individuals such as restoration companies or public adjusters would not be allowed within the emergency scene.
Too often, when I go to a fire to help my constituents, there are people who claim to offer assistance but could be working to take advantage of families who just survived a fire. Once, a survivor collapsed in my arms, and while crying, a restoration company came to hand her their business card. I have seen how these companies have helped but also hurt our constituents by charging a significant amount to their insurance companies.
Establishing the scene allows residents to have a few moments to recover from the traumatic event they just survived, call their insurance companies about their options, and weigh their options before being pressured to take on a contract that may not benefit them. My bill is a companion to one Delegate Amprey recently introduced, which regulates these companies and prohibits contact with constituents 48 hours after the fire.
I would like to thank the Baltimore City Fire Department and the Baltimore Police Department for their assistance on this bill. I look forward to my colleagues' support and its passage.