Poolside Pumps Questions and Answers - Part 2

In part 2 of this transcribed interview, Bart Tuttle answers further questions about Poolside Portable Pumps and steps to take to preapre a home as a wild fire approaches..

Interviewer: I'm speaking this morning with Bart Tuttle, who is the owner of Poolside Portable Pumps in Poway, in San Diego County, California. And we've had a lot of wildfires, well particularly in 2003 and 2007, and Bart is an expert in knowing how to protect homeowners and their homes from fires. So Bart, could you just tell me, why your portable pumps are effective in protecting homeowners' homes from a fire?

Bart Tuttle: Our pumps are engine-driven, they're self-sustained using the swimming pool water to pressurize and apply the fire retardant such as Barricade Gel® and Class A foam.

Interviewer: So a homeowner would understand that there is a fire nearby, perhaps through phone calls, through the media, through seeing or smelling the smoke, would then spray the house ahead of time to protect the property, is that how it works?

Bart Tuttle: Correct. We don't condone anybody staying behind, but this is a pre-evacuation preparedness measure to apply the product on things such as vents and windows that typically get dealt with, with the embers.

Interviewer: So when the family leaves, having sprayed their house with these protective agents, how are the firefighters to know what the family has done? Would they be confused by the foam on the house, or would they find that beneficial?

Bart Tuttle: Typically if they see our yard signs out front that our pumps come with, and seeing the empty product containers scattered around, which I usually tell everybody to throw out on the driveway, they'll know that these homeowners have gone to the expense and time and effort to stage professional grade equipment and fire retardants, not only for themselves, but also for the department.

Interviewer: So when the firefighters come, will they be familiar with the equipment? Would they be able to use it to continue to protect the home?

Bart Tuttle: Correct, our pumps are used worldwide, as well as all of our equipment is all professional grade. Nozzles and hoses are all NH, National Hydrant threading.

Interviewer: I think that would be tremendously helpful to work with the firefighters and not to think that we've become little "mini-fighters"! And I want everyone who is listening to this to just be aware that this is to really help protect the home, but does not make you a firefighter. We want to ensure that firefighters do their job, and anyone who recognizes that a fire is on its way must get out.

So Bart, I think this should be of great interest to homeowners who live in places like San Diego or Los Angeles--anywhere where there is the threat and the reality of wildfire.

Could you please just give information so they could find out more, and possibly maybe considering to purchase your equipment?

Bart Tuttle: We're located in Poway, California. Our address is 12320 Oak Knoll Road. The website is www.poolsideportablepumps.com, and all of our information is there.

For advice on your fire preparedness needs, phone Bart Tuttle at 858 513 2677 or email sales@poolsideportablepumps.com for a free, no obligation consultation. I am always happy to explain to my customers how to operate and maintain the pumps and I can even schedule house calls to take care of regular maintenance and equipment checks.