Right behind them are workers in a little-known industry who offer traumatized homeowners what is known as emergency mitigation services. He dove into this hyper-intense new job, he said, chasing fires and the promise of a straight paycheck. His boss had taught him how to immediately find the homeowner in a crowd of people outside a burning home: Look at everyone’s feet. “Everyone got out?” His boss taught him that, too: Act concerned. Never ask how they’re doing.

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Persons: Jatiek Smith, ”, They’re Locations: Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Sheepshead