A BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
PROTECTING YOUR HOME FROM WILDFIRE: A Comprehensive Approach to Fire Prevention BY BRETT POOLE
Ron Polasek and Brett Poole, co-owners of BRP Hardening Experts
Hardening your home can save your home. (photo: Elaine Thompson, AP)
BRP installs ember-resistant vents to block embers from entering the crawl space.
W hen my partner Ron and I founded BRP Enterprises, we were driven by a simple mission: helping people protect what matters most. With over 35 years as a general building contractor in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ron brings unmatched expertise in quality construction and craftsmanship. My background combines early fire service training with 25 years in customer-focused operations leadership, giving us a unique perspective on both fire prevention and exceptional service delivery. Today, wildfire risk is no longer just a rural concern — it’s a reality for nearly every California homeowner. Recent fires have demonstrated that wind-driven embers can travel miles from the fire line, igniting homes in neighborhoods once considered safe. That’s why we created BRP Hardening Experts, our specialized division focused on home hardening and wildfire mitigation. Home hardening involves strategic improvements to reduce your property’s vulnerability during wildfire events. This means using fire-resistant materials, sealing entry points where embers can intrude, and creating defensible space around your home. The goal is simple: give your home the best possible chance of surviving a wildfire. Our comprehensive fire prevention services address the most critical vulnerabilities first. We install ember-resistant vent coverings to prevent wind-blown embers from entering attics and crawl spaces — often the primary ignition source during wildfires. We add ember mesh protection under decks and install ember-resistant gutter guards to eliminate debris buildup along rooflines. Beyond structural improvements, we provide fuel reduction services through our American Brush division, clearing flammable vegetation and maintaining proper spacing between trees and structures. We also upgrade homes by replacing gates, fences, siding, decking, and roofs with noncombustible materials. The most impactful changes typically focus on Zone 0 — the critical 0-5 feet immediately surrounding your home. Clearing combustible materials like mulch, dead vegetation, and wood piles from this area dramatically reduces ignition risk.
Combined with ember intrusion prevention, these steps form the foundation of effective home hardening. What sets BRP apart is our comprehensive approach. Rather than coordinating multiple contractors, our integrated divisions handle everything from initial assessment through project completion. We’ve partnered with Firewise-recognized neighborhoods throughout the region and regularly present to communities interested in collective fire preparedness — because many homes working together are far more effective than one home acting alone. Fire prevention isn’t optional anymore; it’s essential. Every home is unique, but the principles remain consistent: reduce ember accumulation around your property and prevent ember intrusion into your home. “BRP Enterprises delivered a thorough, easy-to-understand wildfire risk assessment with concrete action steps. They installed ember-resistant gutter guards and vents, relocated my shed, and motivated me to remove vegetation to create a 5-foot non-flammable zone. These proven improvements give me peace of mind about my home’s wildfire protection.” —JEFF GARNER, LAFAYETTE
Learn more about home hardening and BRP Enterprises’ different divisions at brp-enterprises.com. You can also contact Brett at brett@brp-enterprises.com or 925-322-1440 to schedule an appointment.
SPECIAL OFFER: We’re currently providing onsite home fire risk assessments for $299 (approximately one hour). Our experts will evaluate your property’s vulnerabilities, identify fire prevention opportunities, and provide a free estimate. If you proceed with work totaling more than $2,000, we’ll credit the full assessment fee toward your project.
12 August 2025
Greet Lafayette 13
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