A local inventor has created a special foam that could protect homes from wildfires and hurricanes. 

When Marcus Ramsey watched news coverage of a woman who lost her home and belongings in a California wildfire, he was inspired to find a solution to protect buildings from fire and wind damage. 

After some thought, Ramsey realized that special foam could be used to insulate houses from fires from the outside. As a result, the foam would take the brunt of the damage from the heat of fires, not the house. 

After working with a partner, Ramsey tested several prototypes until he received a patent for his new foam. He says the environmentally friendly foam can also protect cell towers, railroad tracks, and more. He even says the foam can be used on houses in hurricane zones to protect from damage caused by Category 5 storms.  

After receiving his patent, Ramsey partnered with Central Urethane, a Wabash, Indiana-based company, to manufacture the product. Central Urethane CEO Mike Dyson said when he was presented with the idea, he wondered, “Why have people not done this yet?”   

Looking ahead, Ramsey plans to repurpose fire engines to carry and distribute the foam. “This does work every time.” He says he is proud of his work, and it will save homes and lives. “I did something for the country.”