Union City resident Freddy Mella first came up with the “Anti-Fire Bomb” about five years ago, after watching a devastating report on a blaze that had destroyed acres of forest land.
Disturbed by the poor efficiency of the equipment used to control such disasters, Mella has introduced a new invention designed to help save property, trees, and wildlife from widespread damage caused by disastrous fires.
“Our government invests millions in equipment and manpower, and they are losing these millions of dollars because there is no real effective tool in fighting fires,” said Mella. “With my Anti Fire Bomb, all the liquid will hit the target 100 percent of the time.”
Mella has no firefighting experience and owns a Laundromat, but is seeking a patent on his invention and has been testing it through a company called Invention Technologies, Inc. in Florida.
Mella grew up among the fields and the farmlands of the Dominican Republic and is a great fan of nature.
Fighting fire
With Mella’s device, gallons of water that normally would be shot out through a number of fire truck hoses are instead released onto a blaze all at once.
“The force is really strong,” Mella said. “Imagine 500 gallons of water coming out at once. The pressure is unimaginable.”
According to Mella, many problems arise with conventional firefighting methods, such as winds deterring the water from its target. These factors among others can waste time and water during a blaze.
“There has been so much forest lost all over the country, and it takes years for trees to grow back,” said Mella. “This is why so many rivers are drying up as well, everything suffers with the loss of our forests.”
Through the sale of the Anti Fire Bomb, Mella also hopes to use a portion of the profits to help organizations replant trees in areas affected by forest fires.
“I just want the world to give nature the opportunity to survive,” said Mella.
Country boy
Having grown up around both the countryside of La Victoria and the capital city of Santo Domingo, Mella was able to experience the best of both worlds, but for him nothing compared to the countryside.
“I love nature; I can’t imagine a better place to live than among nature,” said Mella. “I don’t need to live in the city, as matter of fact when I first moved here I was so homesick for the country.”
Mella first came to the states in 1975, and remembers driving down the shore among the thick wooded areas and wanting to pull over. Unfortunately, in order to protect these areas from vandalism and arson, people are not generally allowed to stop and admire, and can face possible fines.
“One time on a trip to Atlantic City I finally got my chance when our bus broke down on the parkway,” said Mella. “I snuck into the forest and sat on this large boulder looking up at the trees until help arrived.”
Mella became a citizen in 1983.
“I am very proud of my commitment to this country,” he said, “which is why I want to give something back.”
Taking action
After refining the initial concept, Mella spent the last few years searching for a company to represent him when he found Invention Technologies, Inc. (Invent-Tech), a Florida-based company and handles licensing/patent agreements and distribution of new inventions all across the states.
“They loved the idea and I have been registered with them since September,” said Mella, who is hoping to have the product available soon, especially with the coming summer months.
Mella is also hoping to get government support, so that the Anti Fire Bomb becomes a part of fire department equipment all over the country.
“The sooner it comes out, the better, because forest fires happen all the time, especially when there has been little rainfall,” said Mella.
The product will also be ideal for local fire departments, as it is also adaptable for high-rise use after tenants have been evacuated.
Mella’s inspiration for naming his product was the wartime Fire Bomb, often used in low level attacks.
“Everything in life has an opposite,” said Mella. “While one brings devastation; the other brings peace.”
He said that through Invent-tech, prototypes of the product have demonstrated successful test runs in various areas from California to Dallas and Oklahoma.
“This is an idea that came to me when I was a child, and now has become a reality,” said Mella. “I know it works and I have the proof.”
Until a licensing agreement or patent protection has been secured, Invent-Tech will not release any product images or prototypes.
Additional information can be found at www.invent-tech.com.