“They Didn’t Think Lightning Would Strike Twice—But It Did”: Aaron T. Jones Warned Malibu. They Didn’t Listen.
Aaron T. Jones doesn’t do “I told you so”— but if he did, Malibu would be at the top of his list.
Long before the Palisades Fire scorched its way into Southern California’s latest disaster headline, Jones, the CEO of International Protective Service, Inc. (IPS), and founder of the company’s elite Aviation Division, was waving red flags, and offering solutions – solutions that could have saved lives – and properties.
The problem? Local Malibu officials weren’t listening.
“They didn’t think lightning would strike twice—but it did,” Jones said, referring to the community’s blind eye to wildfire readiness – and he’s not exaggerating.
Since the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which torched nearly 100,000 acres, destroyed 1,600 structures, and forced the evacuation of over 295,000 residents, wildfire activity across Southern California hasn’t just increased—it’s exploded.
According to CalFire, the region has seen a 30% rise in annual wildfires and a 47% spike in “mega fires”—those that burn over 10,000 acres—since 2018. Add to that the fact that peak fire season now stretches nearly six months, and you’ve got a disaster forecast that reads more like a guarantee than a threat.
And yet—local leaders still treat each fire like a fluke.
Jones, whose company operates a private air force more advanced than most government agencies, personally tried to get Malibu leadership to sit down and explore IPS’s fire detection and rapid response technology.
His fleet – Sikorsky S-76s, AS365s, AS350s, private jets, as well as drones loaded with FLIR and thermal imaging – was at the ready, fully capable of spotting flare-ups and deploying resources faster than L.A. County’s bureaucratic red tape.
But instead of partnering with a seasoned operator who’s built a global reputation protecting presidents, billionaires, and high-risk zones, Malibu’s leadership brushed him off – too busy putting out political fires at City Hall, knee-deep in scandals, petty power plays, and chaos triggered by disgruntled staffers.
They ignored the guy with the drones and helicopters in the sky, and wildfire intel at his fingertips.
Then reality hit harder than the flames—the Palisade fire was burning its way through Malibu, and suddenly everyone who ignored Jones started dialing his number like he was 911.
The Palisades Fire of January 2025 didn’t just burn—it obliterated. In a matter of days, it torched over 23,400 acres, leveled 6,837 structures, and claimed 12 lives, making it one of the most catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles County history. It didn’t just match the devastation of 2018’s Woolsey Fire—it blew past it. Woolsey scorched more land, but Palisades left behind a higher body count and a staggering trail of structural annihilation.
This wasn’t just a fire, it was yet again, another wake-up call in flames. And it proved, once again, that the region isn’t just at risk—it’s under siege.
IPS Global Aviation: Fire Season’s Unofficial First Responder
Aaron T. Jones didn’t wait for permission, a press release – or even a headline – he just launched IPS Aviation and got to work.
While government agencies tripped over red tape and held press conferences, Jones was ready to put eyes in the sky, with wildfire cameras rolling 24/7, satellite overlays dialed in, and boots-in-the-air ready to move before officials even finished their talking points.
His aircraft weren’t sitting pretty – they were locked, loaded, and ready to deliver critical intel in seconds while the rest of the system was still fumbling for a game plan.
At the helm is veteran pilot Denis Oliver, overseeing a Southern California-based air ops center outfitted with top-tier tech most emergency agencies only wish they had. FLIR systems. Thermal imaging. Rapid-response deployment. All ready, all operational.
This is what happens when a cop-turned-CEO plays the long game – and plays to win.
Malibu Missed the Memo
“Officials acted like Woolsey was a one-time thing,” Jones said. “Now they’re paying the price for being reactive instead of proactive.”
In May 2024, Aaron T. Jones didn’t just attend Malibu’s State of the City – he sponsored it. And he didn’t come empty-handed. He rolled out IPS Aviation’s cutting-edge wildfire detection fleet in front of a power-packed room that included State Senator Ben Allen, Assembly member Jacqui Irwin, and reps from Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s office. Malibu city officials were all there, front and center, nodding politely as Jones laid out a clear, no-nonsense wildfire response plan.
Thermal imaging. Real-time surveillance. Rapid aerial deployment. It was all there – ready to activate.
And what did Malibu’s leadership do?
Nothing.
Despite being handed a fully operational solution on a silver platter, the city chose business as usual. More committees. More posturing. Zero action.
“They clapped, they smiled—and then they ghosted,” Jones later said.“Meanwhile, we were already airborne negotiating with a neighboring county to supplement emergency response.”
Jones – joined by respected leaders and fire-scarred residents – offered Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart a front-row seat to the future of wildfire prevention: a private jet ride, an elite tour of IPS Aviation HQ, and a firsthand look at life-saving tech. Stewart didn’t just decline – he ignored it entirely.
When it comes to public safety, Malibu’s mayor is missing in action.
Six months later, boom—the Palisades Fire exploded, turning warnings into wildfire, and silence into chaos.
Jones warned them. In public. On the record.
They didn’t think lightning would strike twice.
It did. And this time, they can’t say they weren’t warned.
From Boots to Birds, Aaron’s Still Doing the Job They Should Have
Aaron T. Jones had the tools. He had the tech. He had the track record. Malibu had the warning. And now, they have the smoke.
“This isn’t about politics. It’s about public safety. And if you’re in a leadership position, you better start leading—or step aside.”
If you want to stop hearing “I told you so,” start listening to the people who know what the hell they’re doing.
Luckily for the rest of us, Jones’s IPS Global and IPS Aviation Division are still on the ground and in the air, proving what leadership actually looks like – that mission is rapidly expanding to include new government partnerships.
And under Jones’ watch, that mission keeps expanding including new government partnerships.
Aaron Uplugged – No Filter, No apologies
From cop to power player, Aaron T. Jones is redefining security, leadership—and what it means to give a damn.
Jones isn’t your average CEO. He’s the bulletproof blend of law enforcement grit, private sector muscle, and unapologetic authenticity.
Now, through his Aaron Unplugged podcast, he’s also calling out the systemic failures—naming names and breaking down how political incompetence gets people hurt.
Jones cut his teeth in the ’90s under Beverly Hills PD royalty, working high-level protection details for foreign royalty and top-tier clients. That boots-on-the-ground experience fueled the launch of IPS in 2006—now a multi-state powerhouse offering armed patrol, tactical training, cyber security, and executive protection with a side of no-BS efficiency.
And if you thought Jones would stay quiet? Think again. His hit podcast Aaron Unplugged: Beyond the Shield just launched ripping the curtain back on everything from law enforcement corruption to leadership dysfunction.
“This show isn’t about politics, it’s about truth. And sometimes, truth punches harder than any headline.” said Jones.
Jones is the man who sees leadership where others see liability. The guy who shows up when sirens fade. The voice in a world of silence.
As a result of the powerful contribution to wildfire preparedness IPS Aviation can offer, Jones was also asked to make an appearance on a documentary about the Palisades Fire along with former Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
Whether he’s behind the mic – or a camera – wearing the badge, or stepping out of a bulletproof vest, Aaron T. Jones isn’t just in the room. He is the response.
And when the stakes are high?
You’re either standing with him—or standing in his way.
