A San Gabriel Valley man who built a water pump that was credited with saving a home from the Palisades Fire is getting inundated with calls and emails from apprehensive homeowners looking to protect their homes from the next time tragedy strikes.
David Whitman of South Pasadena works out of his patio to make water pumps that he likes to call “little fire engines.” He describes them as self-contained sprinkler systems that pump water out of swimming pools and onto properties to help protect them from fires.
Whitman’s tool showcased its full potential when a father and son duo used the pump to protect their Palisades Highlands home from the Palisades Fire. Since then, Whitman’s company, Brushfire Battle Systems, has seen an influx of customers’ requests.
“This is my passion project,” Whitman said. “And it’s turned into a little more than that.”
According to his company’s website, Whitman’s water pumps are “capable of delivering over 90 gallons a minute …