Godwin Pumps Plays Role in Hurricane Irene Relief Efforts

Sept. 1, 2011
BRIDGEPORT, N.J. Godwin Pumps has been active in supporting emergency relief efforts on the East Coast after Hurricane Irene made landfall on Aug. 27.

BRIDGEPORT, N.J. — Godwin Pumps has been active in supporting emergency relief efforts on the East Coast after Hurricane Irene made landfall on Aug. 27. As the hurricane's path widened throughout the week, Godwin Pumps delivered more than 350 Dri-Prime pumps from eight East Coast branches in support of municipal, industrial and recreational flood relief applications, including controlling water levels in Citizens Bank Park where the Philadelphia Phillies play.

Citizen Bank Ballpark has an underground drainage system that drains into a sump behind the right field wall. This sump has permanently installed electric pumps that pump the water from the sump to the storm sewer. Godwin was called so that in case of a power outage the ballpark could use the Godwin pump to keep the field from flooding and causing any significant damage.

“We fleeted 85 diesel Dri-Pumps last week,” said Grant Salstrom, Godwin's chief operating officer. “Our goal was keeping our customers above water, so much so that we skipped painting the pumps our signature orange color in an effort to get them where they needed to be before they were needed. I'm sure the Phillies didn't care if it wasn't orange, as long as the bullpen stayed dry.”

Godwin also rented dozens of portable diesel generators.

“It's one thing to say you're an emergency response company,” added Salstrom. “It's another thing to take the calls, build the pumps, load, deliver and set equipment up at all hours of the night in all sorts of conditions.”