Randy Balik: Remediation, risks, and the road to recovery
Randy Balik brings over 25 years of expertise in demolition, remediation, and environmental services. Randy is the executive vice president and co-owner of OFRS, an industrial and commercial remedial construction company that is now providing its services to areas affected by the wildfire in the Pacific Palisades. Randy’s work after the fires has been featured in the L.A. Business Journal and the L.A. Times.
Randy has served on the boards of the Professional Environmental Management Association (PEMA), where he was President, and the Western States Petroleum Association Associates (WSPA Associates), where he is now Chairman Emeritus.
In this episode, Jan and Randy discuss:
Randy’s career in environmental science and oil field reclamation, and how he got involved in residential work after the fires
Key contaminants: asbestos, heavy metals, arsenic, and dioxins
Costs, permitting, and insurance challenges in rebuilding
The future of communities like the Palisades and their recovery
Key Takeaways:
Randy emphasizes that OFRS approaches residential fire cleanup with the same precision as industrial projects, ensuring every property undergoes full soil sampling and remediation for safety.
The most concerning long-term risks stem from metals like lead, arsenic, and chromium, which can persist in the soil even after standard debris removal.
While the price tag for comprehensive cleanup may seem high, many homeowners can leverage insurance to cover much of the cost, ultimately buying peace of mind.
Beyond the cleanup itself, Randy points out that slow permitting processes and inadequate environmental testing remain two of the biggest barriers to safe and timely rebuilding.
“I really do hope Palisades comes back, and to come back, that's going to take some smart decisions by both existing property owners rebuilding and developers coming in. Don't be afraid of it. You know, spend a little bit of money. Make sure you know what's there. Be safe about it, and let's move forward. I believe the Palisades can come back very strong if people make the right decisions, and that includes our public agencies, supporting the effort.”
- Randy Balik
Connect with Randy Balik:
Website: https://www.ofrsinc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-balik-898bbb4/
Connect with Jan Brzeski:
Website: https://scipfinance.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbrzeski/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RebuildingLAafterthefires
Email: pr@scipfinance.com
Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.