Pump Operations
The position of driver / operator is to some the best job on the fireground while there are others of us that are daunted by the panel and all its complexities. This position is without question one of the biggest and comes with a serious amount of responsibility. The position and its stresses include the safe arrival of the apparatus to and from the scene, protecting the nozzle crew, ensuring the layout of all the tools the crew will need for the operation. It's a position that requires you to take pride in being able to determine pump pressure at a moments notice and taking full control of the panel. It requires you to understand strategic positioning of the apparatus, pumping hose and nozzle packages and most often you are alone without a partner to bounce ideas off of. The panel requires you understand how things function on it and under it. You need to know the operation itself, where is my water coming from. You need to understand so you can make adjustments should something malfunction on your panel, your crew at the end of the line is counting on you.There is math involved! There are formulas to achieving correct pressure at the nozzle to have effective stream and manueverability. You must take into consideration loss factors such as friction loss, elevation loss, appliance loss, and certain system losses. Different diameter hose equal different friction loss as well.
It is not as complex looking as an aircraft panel perhaps to some, but to others it is much worse
Mastering the panel does not only include operations at the panel, it includes looking for small tasks that can be done quickly giving you the ability to get back to the panel. It means understanding maps, knowing your area and knowing and executing the best route to your location and setting up in the most adventagious position on the scene to provide your crew with the best possible outcome. This position takes some big boots to fill. Your not just a driver your responsible for the safety of your brothers and sisters and the life and property of your community.
Original source can be found here.
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