Private equity firms are absolutely wrecking volunteer fire departments across the country by buying up all the emergency response software and jacking prices through the roof. ESO Solutions grabbed Emergency Reporting and FIREHOUSE Software, then told customers they were killing those platforms and forcing everyone onto way more expensive systems. Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department in Connecticut was looking at costs jumping from $795 yearly to over $5,000, and when they tried to bail, ESO wanted $1,200 just to hand over their data records.
Vista Equity Partners bankrolled ESO's buying spree, and the company handles software for about 20,000 of the 30,000 fire departments nationwide. Chiefs are getting squeezed because the three main providers are all backed by private equity, and departments that were paying a few thousand bucks annually are suddenly dropping $12,000 or more. The Mesilla Fire Department chief said dealing with ESO felt like an abusive relationship after they got burned on the Emergency Reporting shutdown.
Vista Equity Partners bankrolled ESO's buying spree, and the company handles software for about 20,000 of the 30,000 fire departments nationwide. Chiefs are getting squeezed because the three main providers are all backed by private equity, and departments that were paying a few thousand bucks annually are suddenly dropping $12,000 or more. The Mesilla Fire Department chief said dealing with ESO felt like an abusive relationship after they got burned on the Emergency Reporting shutdown.
