Retired firefighter Mark Whaling invented the Heli-Hydrant, a system that allows helicopters to quickly refill with water during urban fires, reducing the need to fly long distances to lakes or ponds. The system has been implemented in Southern California, with 10 units already in place and 16 more in progress. The Heli-Hydrants can be remotely activated and filled from a city's water system, providing a faster and more efficient way for helicopters to fight fires. While concerns about placement in urban areas exist, the system has proven effective in aiding firefighting efforts during wildfires.