Being the Engine/Pump operator

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cory Harwood on June 10, 2009 at 12:57pm

yeh that is a cool job thow!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Eddie Rogers on July 5, 2009 at 11:42pm

Yea, but ain't it fun, responding to call's and having everyone just look and stare in amazment.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Gaudio on July 6, 2009 at 6:45pm

I've been a firefighter for 9 years and a junior before that. I am an appointed captain now and due to a shortage of manpower, I find myself driving more often. I need more training at the pump. I agree that it is a harder task on the fire ground. Not as physical but it is challenging.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bill Anderson on July 12, 2009 at 5:07am

Everyone wants to be on the nozzle. If it wasn't for someone on the pump they wouldn't have anything to squirt out of that nozzle. Pumping is just as, if not more important as spraying the wet stuff.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lee Huff on August 5, 2009 at 11:50pm

You got that right, Bill! Personally, I could care less about having the nozzle. When I go to a fire, I'm there to do whatever is needed, be it nozzle, tanker duty, or just rolling hose and changing air bottles. No job is unimportant!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Vorster on July 12, 2009 at 10:35am

I agree, but ithink that it is vital that all pump operators should atleast have experience on the branch to know what it is about,cause you get guys that try and screw you around on the ground but doesnt have the foggiest of whats going on infront on the line!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aaron Herman on July 16, 2009 at 12:46am

This the most important job in the fire service. The driver Driver/Opreator has to get not only engine but the crew there safely, then get the crew water to the end of the hose. It looks to be easy to the personnel in the jump seat, but little do they know putting the wet stuff on the red stuff is the easy part of the job. You all be safe out there reather it be a basci call or the five alarm...

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff on August 2, 2009 at 1:51am

you got to remember when your the driver an the guy pumping you tell guys what lines to take off,just don't let people start pulling hose unless you know what it is! i think being the operator is the most stress full part of it just trying to get to the scene is hard enough then was your there you got to keep a certain pressure an be able to maintain mutipile lines all at once

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Gaudio on August 3, 2009 at 12:29pm

Well it's up to the attack crew's discression on what line to pull. Only because some may prefer to use the smooth bore nozzle and also which length line to grab. I'm not too sure if the engineer would have the say in that but our lines are color coated so there's no confusion. We just radio which color line to charge.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dean Shrider on August 26, 2009 at 6:23pm

We have a problem at our station that some people want to drive the trucks but when they get to the scene they want someone else to run the pump. Either they dont know how or cannt handle the strees. So our officers have came up with a plan to retrain who ever wants to run a pump and if you cannt run a pump you dont drive. If you wanted to be retrained you had to sign up for it because some people just dont want to run or drive a truck.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lee Huff on August 28, 2009 at 3:53pm

We operate that way. If you're going to drive, you run the pumps. Furthermore, you had better be certified as a driver-operator. That's why I stick to the squad and the tanker (if we're pressed for guys).

▶ Reply to This