Pumping Apparatus Driver Operator (1st Edition)
Chapter 1 - The Driver Operator
"By the Numbers"

  • NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver Operator Professional Qualifications, sets minimum qualifications for driver operators.
  • Driver operators are subject to medical evaluation per NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program.
  • NFPA 1582, Standard on Medical Requirements for Fire Fighter, sets requirements for visual acuity for driver operators.
  • NFPA 1582 recommends that firefighters with hearing loss of 25 decibels or more in 3 of 4 frequencies (500-1,000-2,000) in the unaided worst ear or an average loss greater than 30 decibels for 4 frequencies (500-1,000-2,000-3,000) be rejected as a candidate.
  • To meet the intent of NFPA 1002, driver operator candidates must attend and complete a Firefighter 1 course.
  • NFPA 1451, Standard for a Fire Service Vehicle Operations Training Program, covers training programs for driver operators.
  • Some exemptions allow apparatus to exceed the posted speed limit up to 10 mph over when responding to emergencies.

Pumping Apparatus Driver Operator (1st Edition)
Chapter 2 - Types of Fire Apparatus Equipped with a Fire Pump
"By the Numbers"

  • NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, contains the requirements for pumper design.
  • NFPA 1901 states that pumpers should have a minimum pump capacity of 750 gpm.
  • Pump capacities for municipal fire department pumpers can be found in increments of 250 gpm, up to 2,000 gpm, while pumpers over 2,000 gpm may be found in industrial pumpers.
  • Industrial foam pumpers are built according to NFPA 11C, Standard for Mobile Foam Apparatus, and NFPA 1901.
  • Apparatus can be equipped with fire pump capacities from 1,000 to 3,000 gpm or greater.
  • Foam tanks on industrial apparatus range from 500 to 1,500 gallons (of foam concentrate), while most municipal pumper foam tanks range from 20 to 100 gallons and must be refilled with 5 gallon pails.
  • Elevating water devices typically range from 50 to 75 feet in height.
  • Minipumpers usually have pumps with capacities no larger than 500 gpm, however, some may have pumps up to 1,000 gpm.
  • Midipumpers are built on chassis usually over 12,000 lbs. GVW.
  • Midipumpers are equipped with pump capacities as large as 1,000 gpm.
  • Apparatus must carry at least 1,000 gallons of water to be considered mobile water supply apparatus.
  • Weight distribution and load requirements generally limit tank capacities to 1,500 gallons or less for single rear axle vehicles.
  • Tank capacities over 1,500 gallons can be obtained by using tandem rear axles, tri-axles, or tractor-trailer designs.
  • Wildland fire apparatus (brush pumpers) have pump and tank capacities less than 500 gallons, however, some jurisdictions may have pump capacities up to 1,000 gpm and tanks over 1,000 gallons.
  • NFPA 1500, Standard for Fire Department Occupational Safety & Health, prohibits firefighters from discharging water from outside the vehicle while it is being driven.
  • Booster tanks on wildland apparatus vary from 50 gallons to 1,000 gallons or more.
  • Design of wildland apparatus is covered by NFPA 1906, Standard for Wildland Fire Apparatus.
  • NFPA 414, Standard for Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting Vehicles, covers requirements for ARFF apparatus.
  • 14 CFR Part 139, Certification and Operations: Land Airports Serving Certain Air Carriers, contains additional requirements for ARFF vehicles.
  • Other sources for ARFF vehicles include ICAO Annex 14, International Standards & Recommended Practices, Aerodromes, FAA AC 150/5220-10, Guide Specifications of Water/Foam Type Aircraft Fire & Rescue Trucks, and FAA AC 150/5220-14A, Airport Fire & Rescue Vehicle Specification Guide.
  • Fire boats can be built to deliver as much as 26,000 gpm and are commonly found with individual master stream turrets that discharge 2,000 to 3,000 gpm.
  • NFPA 1901 requires a minimum pump capacity for aerial apparatus of 250 gpm or if it will be used as a true "quint", it must be 750 gpm.
  • Aerial apparatus which are to function as a standard engine company may have pump capacities as large as 2,000 gpm.
  • Rescue apparatus equipped with fire pumps usually have capacities of 500 gpm or less and tanks of 500 gallons or less.
  • Inverters are step-up transformers that convert a vehicles 12 or 24 volt DC current into 110 or 220 volt current.
  • Inverters are typically capable of providing about 1,500 watts.
  • Portable generators generally have 110 and/or 220 volt capacities and are designed to deliver capacities up to 5,000 watts for the largest units.
  • Vehicle mounted generators generally have 110 and 220 volt capabilities, common capacities up to 12,000 watts for pumpers, and up to 50,000 watts are common on rescue vehicles.
  • Portable lights generally range from 300 to 1,000 watts.
  • Banks of lights found on some apparatus usually have a capacity of 500 to 1,500 watts per light.
  • The most common size cable for extension cords is 12 gauge, 3 wire type.
  • The 4 basic types of hydraulic extrication tools are spreaders, shears, combination spreader/shears, and extension rams.
  • Pumps for hydraulic tools may be powered by compressed air, electric motors, 2 or 4 cycle gas motors, or apparatus PTO systems.
  • Hydraulic tool pumps are usually not capable of supplying full power to the tool when hose length between pump and tool exceeds 100 feet.

Pumper Classifications (ICS System)
Pumper Type / Min. Pump Capacity (GPM) / Min. Tank Capacity (GALLONS)
Type 1 / 1,000 / 400
Type 2 / 500 / 400
Type 3 / 120 / 300
Type 4 / 50 / 200
Type 5 / 70 / 750
Type 6 / 50 / 500
Type 7 / 50 / 300
Type 8 / 20 / 125

Pumping Apparatus Driver Operator (1st Edition)
Chapter 3 - Intro to Apparatus Inspection & Maintenance
"By the Numbers"

  • NFPA 1002, Standard on Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications.
  • During the first 6 months after an apparatus is received, the vehicle should be frequently washed with cold water to harden the paint and keep it from spotting.
  • The water stream used to clean apparatus should be at a pressure that causes water to come out of the hose about 1 foot.
  • Wax should generally not be applied to apparatus until the rig is 6 months old.
  • Fuel should be kept at least 3/4 full at all times.
  • Noise levels in excess of 90 decibels requires that hearing protection be worn.
  • Steering wheel play should not be more than 10 degrees in either direction.
  • NFPA 1901 braking tests for new apparatus require that the apparatus be stopped in less than 35 feet from a speed of 20 mph.
  • Braking tests also require apparatus parking brakes to hold and apparatus on a grade of 20%.
  • Apparatus equipped with air brakes must be able to build enough air pressure within 60 seconds of starting to allow vehicle operation.
  • Apparatus that take longer than 60 seconds to build air pressure to allow operation should be checked by a certified mechanic.
  • Air pressure protection valves are found on apparatus with air brakes and prevent operation of air horns if air reservoir drops below 80 psi.
  • To test road brakes, the apparatus should be allowed to move at about 5 mph, push the brake firmly, and ensure that the apparatus stops within about 20 feet. This may also be used to test parking brake.
  • It is recommended that windshield washer fluid be replenished when the level is less than 1/2 full.

Pumping Apparatus Driver Operator (1st Edition)
Chapter 4 - Operating Emergency Vehicles
"By the Numbers"

  • 15% to 20% of all firefighter injuries and deaths are caused by vehicle collisions while responding to or returning from emergency calls (25 firefighter deaths per year).

Times Collisions Occur (IUP Study) / Times Collisions Occur (NY Study)
Time of Day / Percentage / Time of Day / Percentage
Daylight / 51% / Daylight / 70%
Dawn/Dusk / 11% / Dawn/Dusk / 5%
Night / 27% / Night / 24%
Unknown / 11% / Unknown / 1%
Road Conditions When Collisions Occur (IUP Study) / Road Conditions When Collisions Occur (NY Study)
Road Condition / Percentage / Road Condition / Percentage
Dry / 61% / Dry / 63%
Wet / 10.5% / Wet / 25%
Snow/Ice / 13% / Snow/Ice / 6%
Muddy / 0.5% / Muddy / 1%
Unknown / 15% / Unknown / 5%
  • An SAE study of commercial truck drivers found that in 42% of all collisions, the operator was not aware of the problem until it was too late.
  • Homebuilt water tankers are commonly constructed on old military 6x6 chassis and have a high incidence of serious collisions.
  • Water weighs 8.33 lbs. per gallon, gasoline weighs 5.6 lbs. per gallon, and fuel oil weighs 7.12 lbs. per gallon.
  • Apparatus may be warmed up for 3 to 5 minutes before putting in road gear for a non-emergency response, however, it may be only a few seconds for an emergency response.
  • Most fire apparatus are equipped with 2 vehicle batteries.
  • Vehicles equipped with 2 batteries may have 4 settings:Off, Battery 1, Battery 2, Both.
  • Starter controls should be operated in intervals of no more than 30 seconds with a 60 second rest in between each try.
  • If the oil pressure gauge does not indicate a reasonable amount of oil pressure within 5 to 10 seconds of starting, stop the engine immediately and have the lubrication system checked be a mechanic.
  • Gears should be chosen that cruises the engine at 200 to 300 rpm lower than the recommended rpm.
  • Long idling periods can result in the use of 1/2 gallon of fuel per hour.
  • When engines must be idled for long periods, they should be set to idle at 900 to 1,100 rpm.
  • A hot engine should be idled 3 to 5 minutes, until it is cooled.
  • NFPA 1901 requires that a seat and seat belt be provided within the cab or body of the apparatus for every firefighter.
  • NFPA 1500 states that all firefighters must be seated and belted when the vehicle is in motion.
  • NFPA 1500 covers safety aspect of loading hose while the apparatus is in motion.
  • At least 1 person, other than the person loading hose, must be assigned as safety observer when a moving hose load is taking place.
  • Loading hose with the apparatus in motion should be done at 5 mph or less.
  • At least 1 firefighter with a radio, preferably 2, should be present behind the apparatus when backing the apparatus.
  • Only 1 firefighter should communicate with the driver during backing operations. The 2nd firefighter simply assists the 1st.
  • The front brake limiting valve type of auxiliary braking system are commonly used on apparatus built before the mid-1970s, but can be found on some newer apparatus.
  • Front brake limiting valves reduce the air pressure on the front steering axle by 50% when the switch is set to the slippery road position which reduced the braking capability by 25%.
  • The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 121 of 1975, limited the amount of apparatus built with the dry-road/slippery-road switch.
  • Automatic tire chains tend to lose their effectiveness in snow deeper than 8 inches.
  • It takes 3 to 15 times more distance to bring a vehicle to a stop on snow and ice than on dry concrete.
  • At speeds above 50 mph, emergency vehicles may outrun the effective range of its audible warning devices.
  • A siren operating on a vehicle going 40 mph, can only project about 300 feet. At 60 mph, it is reduced to 12 feet.
  • With multiple apparatus traveling on the same route, units should travel at least 300 to 500 feet apart.
  • A new type of traffic control system is the SONEM 2000 system which is activated by the emergency vehicles siren as it approaches and can be adjusted anywhere from a few hundred feet to 1/2 mile.
  • Intersections equipped with the SONEM 2000 system will have 3 inch white and blue lights in each direction of travel.
  • NFPA 1002 and NFPA 1451 contain driver operator testing/training requirements.
  • NFPA 1002 states the number of practical exercises that a driver/operator candidate must pass before being certified to drive.
  • Alley dock exercises should have boundary lines of 40 feet wide for the restricted area, with the alley being 12 feet wide and 20 feet deep.
  • The station backing exercise should simulate an apparatus bay that is 10 feet longer than the apparatus.
  • Markers for the serpentine course should be set 30 to 38 feet apart, depending on apparatus size.
  • The confined space turnaround exercise tests the ability to turn the vehicle 180 degrees within a confined space and should be performed in an area at least 50 feet wide and 100 feet long.
  • The diminishing clearance exercise is a lane 75 feet long with a width of 9' 6" at the beginning, narrowing to 8' 2" at the end. The driver must stop the apparatus bumper within 6 inches of the finish line.
  • It is suggested that apparatus not exceed 10 mph when leaving the station.

Pumping Apparatus Driver Operator (1st Edition)
Chapter 5 - Positioning Apparatus
"By the Numbers"

  • The inside/outside method of positioning is used on building that are less than 5 stories tall and consist of the pumper positioning to the inside (closer to the building) and the aerial to the outside (farther from the building). On buildings taller than 5 stories, positioning is opposite.
  • Dry hydrants should be installed with draft parts a minimum of 2 feet from the bottom and top of the water with the pumper connection at least 15 inches above the ground.
  • Intake hose sections are commonly 10 to 50 feet long.
  • With wheels turned at a 45 degree angle when making a hydrant connection, the driver can easily adjust the distance between hydrant and pumper by moving forward or backward.
  • A good way to prevent kinks in soft sleeve hose is to put 2 full twists in the hose prior to making the connection between hydrant and pumper, but should not be used if Storz couplings are present on either end.
  • When using front or rear intake connections, the pumper should be angled at 45 degrees or less to the hydrant.
  • When maximum flow from a hydrant is NOT needed, connection to hydrant can be made with one or two 2 1/2" outlets, using 2 1/2" or 3" hose.
  • The main disadvantage of connecting to a hydrant's 2 1/2" connection is limited water supply.
  • Friction loss can be minimized when using 2 1/2" hydrant connections by using 3" hoselines with 2 1/2" couplings.
  • The average flow through gated 2 1/2" intake connections is 250 gpm.
  • Using multiple 2 1/2" or 3" lines into a larger bell reducer or suction siamese fitting provides maximum flow from smaller intake lines.
  • Test pressures for hose can be found in NFPA 1962, Standard for the Care, Use, and Service Testing of Fire Hose Including Couplings and Nozzles.
  • Pumpers may be as much as 300 feet apart during tandem pumping operations.
  • In wildland fires, a short 1 1/2" or 1 3/4" line should be deployed and charged for protection of the apparatus.
  • Cascade systems on mobile fire apparatus typically range from a bank of 4 to 12 large cylinders.
  • Level 1 staging is used on every emergency response when 2 companies performing like functions are dispatched.
  • Level 2 staging is used when numerous emergency vehicles will be responding to an incident.
  • Incidents that require mutual aid or multiple alarms need Level 2 staging.
  • All apparatus except the staging officer should have warning lights turned off after they park at the staging center (Level 2 Staging).
  • At least 1 lane next to the incident on highway scenes should be closed.

Pumping Apparatus Driver Operator (1st Edition)
Chapter 6 - What is Water & Where Does it Come From?
"By the Numbers"
NOTICE: Illustrations in this chapter provide a much better understanding of the characteristics of water. Numbers found in explanations of illustrations are not presented here.

  • Between 32oF and 212oF, water exists in a liquid state.
  • Below 32oF, water turns to a solid (ice).
  • Above 212oF, water converts into a gas called water vapor or steam.
  • Water is heaviest, and weighs about 62.4 lb./ft3, close to its freezing point.
  • Water is lightest, and weighs about 60 lb./ft3, close to its boiling point.
  • Ordinary fresh water is generally considered to weigh about 62.5 lb./ft3 or 8.33 lbs./gallon.
  • 1 Btu = 1.055 joules (J).
  • A Btu is the amount of heat required to raise 1 pound of water 1oF.
  • 1 Calorie = 4.19 joules (J).
  • It takes 5 times the amount of heat to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water than it takes to raise 1 pound of carbon dioxide gas.

Specific Heat of Extinguishing Agents
Agent / Specific Heat
Water / 1.00
Calcium Chloride Solution / 0.70
Sodium Bicarbonate / 0.22
Carbon Dioxide (gas) / 0.19
Carbon Dioxide (solid) / 0.12
  • Each pound of water requires about 970 Btus of additional heat to completely convert into steam (this is called the latent heat of vaporization).
  • Given water that is 60oF, it requires 152 Btus to raise each pound of water to 212oF (142 Btus for 70oF water).
  • 1 gallon of water will absorb 1,266 Btus to get to 212oF (152 Btu/lb. x 8.33 lbs.) and an additional 8,080 Btus will be absorbed as it turns into steam.
  • A 100 gpm fog nozzle at 60oF will absorb about 934,600 Btus of heat per minute if all water is converted to steam.
  • A 1 inch ice cube has 6 square inches of surface area (6 sides). (see figure 6.4 on page 106 for explanation of why this is important)
  • Water expands about 1,700 times its original volume at 212oF.
  • A nozzle discharging 150 gallons of water fog for 1 minute generates enough steam to fill a room 10 feet high, 50 feet wide, and 96 feet long.
  • Water is given a specific gravity of 1.
  • Liquids with a specific gravity less than 1 will float in water, while liquids with specific gravity of more than 1 will sink.
  • Most flammable liquids have a specific gravity of 1.
  • A 1 square inch column of water 1 foot high will exert a pressure of 0.434 psi at its base.
  • A 1 square inch column of water must be 2.304 feet high to exert a pressure of 1 psi at its base.
  • At sea level, the atmosphere exerts a pressure of 14.7 psi.
  • A pressure of 1 psi will make a column of mercury rise 2.04 inches, therefore, 14.7 psi will make the column of mercury rise 29.9 inches.
  • A gauge reading of 10 psi at sea level is actually 24.7 psi. (14.7 psi + 10 psi).
  • Head pressure is found by dividing the number of feet (above discharge) by 2.304 feet.
  • Altitude does not start to affect pressure until about 2,000 feet above sea level. (pressure drops at higher elevation)
  • Above sea level, atmospheric pressure decreases about 0.5 psi per 1,000 feet.
  • Friction loss in old hose may be as much as 50% greater than in new hose.
  • Realistically, hose larger than 3" cannot be used for handlines.
  • When the diameter of a hose is doubled, the area of the hose increases about 4 times.
  • It is recommended that hydrant supply mains in residential areas be at least 6" in diameter and be closely gridded by 8" cross-connecting mains at intervals not more than 600 feet.
  • Business and industrial districts should have at least 8" hydrant supply mains with cross-connecting mains every 600 feet.
  • 12" mains may be used on principal streets and in long mains not cross-connected at frequent intervals.
  • Water mains as large as 48" may be found in major cities.
  • Average daily consumption is the average of the total amount of water used in a distribution system over the period of 1 year.
  • Maximum daily consumption is the maximum total amount of water that was used during and 24 hour period within a 3 year period.
  • Peak hourly consumption is the maximum amount of water used in any 1 hour interval over the course of 1 day.
  • The maximum daily consumption is normally about 1 1/2 times the average daily consumption.
  • Peak hourly rate normally varies from 2 to 4 times the normal hourly rate.

Pumping Apparatus Driver Operator (1st Edition)
Chapter 7 - Fire Hose Nozzles & Flow Rates
"By the Numbers"
NOTICE: Numbers found in steps or examples are not presented here.