The Los Angeles Fire Department has added a new operational resource to reduce wildfire risk across the city. Known as Crew 4, the unit is the department’s first full-time paid wildland hand crew, created in response to increasingly destructive wildfire activity in Southern California.

On a recent day in the Sepulveda Basin near the Los Angeles River, crew members worked under shaded trees, cutting and removing dense vegetation. The area is prone to brush fires due to dense vegetation and homeless encampments. Using chainsaws and woodchippers, the team removed invasive trees and heavy brush to reduce fuel loads before fires ignite.

Crew 4 was formed following the Palisades Fire in January 2025, which was part of a series of 12 fires across the Los Angeles region. Those fires killed 31 people in the Altadena and Pacific Palisades communities and destroyed thousands of homes and structures. The Eaton and Palisades fires are now listed among the 10 deadliest wildfires in California history. The Palisades Fire alone burned more than 23,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures, and began on Jan. 7, outside the traditional wildfire season.

According to the department, the crew strengthens both emergency response and year-round vegetation management. A large portion of Los Angeles falls within a very high fire hazard zone. During active fires, the crew digs fire lines and removes brush ahead of or along the fire’s edge. Before fires start, members focus on fuel reduction to limit ember spread during high-wind events, such as Santa Ana conditions.

Wildfire activity in California has expanded significantly in recent decades. The state Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment reports that both the area burned by wildfires and the number of large fires have increased, driven by land use changes, fire management practices, and climate conditions. Between 2020 and 2024, the annual average area burned statewide was about three times higher than during the 2010s.

Fire Chief Adam VanGerpen said wildfire risk in Southern California is no longer seasonal. Fires can occur year-round because of dry vegetation, low fuel moisture, and high winds. He cited the Palisades Fire as an example of a major wildfire that occurred outside the typical late spring through October window.

Crew 4 members completed five weeks of intensive training and graduated in June 2025. Since then, they have trained daily through physical conditioning, difficult terrain hikes across Los Angeles County, and frequent brush clearance work. The crew operates out of Fire Station 88 in the San Fernando Valley, which also serves as a training facility. The department said the team is becoming a central training resource for wildland fire operations.

The crew consists of more than 20 civilian wildland fire technicians, three sworn LAFD foremen, and a superintendent. The program was nearly two decades in the making. A volunteer hand crew program began in 2006, and officials advocated for a paid crew over the years. The department said the full-time model increases staffing consistency and overall capacity.

Officials said the crew is fully prepared to respond to wildfire incidents. Training has continued without interruption since late May and early June 2025, with a focus on coordinated response and safety.

Fire Chief Jamie Moore said lessons from the Palisades Fire are shaping how the department trains, prepares, and deploys resources, as well as how it works with communities. He said resident safety remains the department’s top priority.

Mayor Karen Bass said Crew 4 supports the city’s focus on both wildfire prevention and response. In a statement, she said investing in brush clearance and vegetation management plays a critical role in protecting communities while supporting response to fires and other all-hazard incidents.

Crew members come from a range of backgrounds, including prior volunteer service and other public safety roles. Some joined after responding to multiple fires across Los Angeles during January 2025. Others entered the program with limited wildland experience and completed the required training.

Department officials said having a dedicated hand crew allows the city to rely less on neighboring agencies during wildfire responses. Familiarity with local terrain and repeated training in the same environments also allows the crew to anticipate fire behavior and support suppression efforts more effectively.

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Chatham Insurance Services (Chatham), a division of DOXA, announced the launch of aggregate excess of loss coverage for value-based care providers.

The new coverage helps address claim volatility across aggregate patient panels. It is written through United States Fire Insurance Company, rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best in 2025. United States Fire Insurance Company operates under the Crum & Forster (C&F) registered trademark.

Providers in value-based care arrangements face growing financial uncertainty. Claim volatility and unclear benchmarking often sit outside their control.

“Aggregate excess of loss is a targeted solution for these challenges,” said Josh Brickell, executive vice president, excess of loss – aggregate, at Chatham. “Coverage directly aligns with shared savings and losses that affect financial performance.”

As a result, organizations gain greater predictability and can also remain focused on patient outcomes and long-term savings.

“By protecting against aggregate losses or guaranteeing shared savings, ACOs can stay focused on delivering high-quality care,” Brickell said.

Chatham is one of the largest independent management liability insurance program managers in the managed care industry. Its offerings include managed care, errors and omissions, cyber, directors and officers, employment practices liability, crime, fiduciary, identity fraud, and kidnap and ransom coverage.

In 2024, Chatham expanded its platform using DOXA’s program development capabilities. That effort led to the launch of its specific excess of loss division.

With this latest addition, Chatham now offers a full spectrum of excess of loss solutions. Few providers in the managed care market offer comparable breadth.

The aggregate excess of loss program supports provider groups engaged in value-based care. Eligible organizations include:

• Accountable care organizations participating in CMS shared savings programs
• Providers contracting with commercial payers

The coverage delivers stability for uncontrollable risks. It also offers cost-effective options tailored to each client’s risk tolerance.

Chatham applies a data-driven underwriting approach. The program is supported by a dedicated team of aggregate excess of loss specialists.

“Crum & Forster is pleased to partner with Chatham on this offering,” said Tanya Arrowsmith, senior vice president, Accident & Health Division, Medical Business Unit, at Crum & Forster.

“Claims volatility can strain financial performance and complicate compliance,” Arrowsmith said. “This coverage helps organizations manage costs, mitigate risk, and adapt to change.”

She added that the partnership strengthens solutions for managed care insureds and their brokers. Also, clients receive personalized service, including timely, industry-leading claims support.

Chatham’s aggregate excess of loss coverage is now available. Agents and brokers working with ACOs or value-based care providers may contact Josh Brickell at Josh.Brickell@chathamins.com.

About DOXA

DOXA is an award-winning specialty insurance platform that acquires and grows niche-market focused insurance program administrators, underwriting and program distribution companies, including MGAs, MGUs, Brokers, and Direct to Consumer operators. The company delivers centralized sales, marketing, underwriting, and operational support services to help companies maximize their growth potential. DOXA offers hundreds of custom specialty insurance programs to support over 20k agent-broker relationships in all 50 states. For information, visit www.DOXA.com.

ABOUT CHATHAM INSURANCE SERVICES

Founded in 2002, Chatham Insurance Services is one of the largest independent Management Liability Insurance Program Managers serving the Managed Care Industry. While Chatham began its operations in 2002, the management team of Chatham has been working in the Managed Care Industry underwriting these product lines since 1997. The Chatham underwriting team brings almost 100 years of combined Professional Liability experience and product line expertise to each account underwritten at Chatham. They are focused on and solely committed to the Managed Care Industry. Chatham Insurance Services is a division of DOXA Programs, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company (d/b/a DOXA Programs Insurance Services in the State of California, License #6012212).

CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP

Products are offered through a contractual relationship between United States Fire Insurance Company, operating under the registered trademark of Crum & Forster, and DOXA Programs, LLC. The C&F logo, C&F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company.

Winter storms in the South are becoming more frequent and severe, exposing vulnerabilities in homes that Southern builders never designed for prolonged freezing temperatures. For insurance professionals, these events highlight a critical opportunity — helping clients understand where risks exist and how proactive preparation can prevent avoidable claims.

Mercury Insurance offers these tips to homeowners that insurance professionals can share with clients ahead of the next cold-weather event.

Why Winter Storm Preparation Matters for Southern Homes

Many Southern homes are built to withstand heat, not subfreezing temperatures. When freezes occur, that mismatch often results in preventable losses, including:

• Frozen pipes that burst and cause interior flooding
• Roof leaks that lead to significant water damage
• Extended power outages that create safety concerns

While homeowners insurance may cover sudden winter-related losses, Mercury Insurance emphasizes prevention as the most effective risk management strategy — reducing claims, stress, and recovery time.

Step 1: Help Clients Prepare the Home Exterior

The exterior of a home typically fails first during winter storms. Insurance professionals can encourage clients to take these preventive steps early.

Outdoor plumbing protection

To reduce the risk of burst pipes:

• Disconnect and fully drain outdoor hoses
• Install insulated covers on exposed faucets and hose bibs
• Wrap exposed pipes with foam insulation or temporary alternatives such as towels or bubble wrap

Gutter inspection and clearing

Clogged gutters can create ice dams, which force water back under shingles and into the home. Clearing gutters before temperatures drop can significantly reduce roof-related claims.

Sealing cracks and openings

Encourage homeowners to:

• Apply caulk or weather stripping around windows and doors
• Use foam, rubber, or plastic tape to seal visible gaps
• Install door sweeps to minimize heat loss

Step 2: Interior Preparation That Reduces Losses

Once the exterior is addressed, interior preparation plays a key role in preventing freeze-related claims.

Pipe freeze prevention

• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation
• Insulate interior pipes with foam or heat tape
• Let faucets drip overnight during extreme cold
• Keep garage doors closed, as garages and crawl spaces are high-risk areas
• Know the location of the main water shut-off valve and keep a wrench accessible

Safe heating practices

Heating system failures often precede pipe losses. Mercury Insurance recommends:

• Keeping thermostats set at 60°F or higher, even when away
• Avoiding a complete heat shutdown
• Using space heaters safely and as directed
• Never use ovens, grills, or generators indoors due to carbon monoxide risks

Planning for Power Outages

Power outages are common during Southern winter storms. Mercury Insurance encourages homeowners to maintain an emergency kit that includes:

• Warm blankets and layered clothing
• Bottled water — one gallon per person, per day
• Non-perishable food
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Fully charged power banks or portable phone chargers

Advising Clients on Winter Travel Risks

Insurance professionals should also reinforce safe travel guidance during freezes. Roads in the South are often ill-equipped for ice and snow, making travel hazardous.

If driving is unavoidable:

• Vehicles should be winter-ready with proper antifreeze, tire pressure, and windshield fluid
• Emergency car kits should include blankets, food, and jumper cables
• Roadside assistance contact information should be saved in advance

Coverage Awareness and Claims Readiness

Most homeowners insurance policies cover sudden water damage caused by burst pipes. However, damage tied to maintenance issues or gradual leaks may be excluded. Mercury Insurance recommends reviewing coverage details with clients before winter weather strikes.

If damage occurs: • Claims should be filed promptly online or by phone
• Photos and videos should be taken before repairs
• Receipts for emergency repairs or temporary housing should be retained

Supporting Clients Through Unpredictable Winters

Southern winters remain unpredictable, but proactive education makes a measurable difference. By sharing Mercury Insurance’s winter storm preparation guidance, insurance professionals can help clients reduce losses, avoid disruptions, and better understand how their coverage responds when temperatures drop.