In the aftermath of one of the most destructive wildfires in recent history, Gene Golling and his son Patrick’s home in the Palisades Highlands neighborhood stands as one of the few that survived. While many neighbors lost everything, the Gollings credit their home’s survival to two key strategies: clearing brush and an innovative watering system powered by a homemade pump.
The Gollings’ 20,000-gallon swimming pool played a crucial role in protecting their property. When the Palisades Fire threatened their neighborhood earlier this week, the family drained the pool to use its water as a defense against the flames.
The system, which includes a water pump powered by a Honda engine, was installed by Gene Golling last summer after he saw an online advertisement for the equipment. Costing just under $3,700, the setup was initially a precautionary measure.
“I imagined this place burning,” Gene Golling said, recalling his decision to buy the system. “I thought to myself, this is a disaster waiting to happen.”
Though the Gollings couldn’t have anticipated the fire’s size or how close it would come, they had tested the system months earlier. In the event of a fire, the pump would allow them to use water from their pool to soak the surrounding area and protect their home.
Their preparation paid off. As flames approached, the system helped save their property, proving the value of foresight and resourcefulness in the face of disaster.
