Service connects off-duty firefighters with odd jobs you have around the house

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — Now available in the ArkLaTex is a service that connects off-duty firefighters with odd jobs you may need done.

As seen on “Shark Tank,” Hidrent Customer App can be used to hire a professional or volunteer firefighter for your next home project.

“We’re helping homeowners who may not be capable of doing certain tasks,” said Dave Heimbuch, founder and CEO of Hidrent. “And we’re giving them someone they can trust in their home, someone that they feel safe letting in their home, but also someone they feel good giving back to.”

Heimbuch said 17 firefighters are registered on Hidrent and ready to help in the Shreveport/Bossier City area.

With expertise and experience in a variety of disciplines, firefighters are looking for small projects to leverage their skillset and supplement their income during their time off.

“Pretty much every fireman has a second or third job, and they look for that extra income,” Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese said. “So this is an excellent way to do it.”

If your project requires a trade professional, it may not be a good fit. But among things firefighters hired through Hidrent can do are:

• install light fixtures and ceiling fans
• make small furniture moves within the same house or neighborhood
• hang holiday lights and decorations
• install smoke detectors or replace batteries
• hang pictures, mirrors, curtains, artwork and more
• haul off junk that’s just lying around
• assemble tables, chairs, beds, desks, dressers and other furniture
• install a wall mount and hang your flat-screen TV
• clean gutters
• wash decks
• do general handyman work, meaning anything not regarded as plumbing, HVAC or complex electrical work.

Customers get an estimate for the work up front based on trends in their area. Once their job is accepted, a firefighter will quote them a fair price based on their specific project.

And if you don’t have a project but know someone who might, Hidrent gift cards now are available.

Firefighters are the perfect people to help the community out, Reese said. “I see it as more of a benefit for the citizens. Typically, most people trust letting firemen and police officers inside of their home on their worst day.”

Marshall, Texas, Fire Chief Reginald Cooper made the following comment about Hidrent: “I was able to look through some of the services offered and feel it to be a very catchy app that would provide a variety of services to people in need. I think it’s a great concept that could help and offer value to any city.”

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