By MIKE MURPHY

Today’s fire scenes are ever-changing. Fire progression, tactics, and oil-based materials are a few of the culprits. An often-overlooked portion of the tactical fireground is the pump operator.

The pump operator/driver position is one of if not the most important positions on any fireground or vehicle accident. A good operator will take care of anything and everything an engine company officer could need done on the exterior. Or, he can stand at the pump panel and verify the correct pressure until the scene is under control. I suggest the latter.

A well-trained and “battle-ready” pump operator is someone to look up to and appreciate. At no other time does one person hold so many lives at his fingertips. Between response to and from calls, vehicle accidents, medical calls, and even a trip to the grocery store, the driver-operator is in complete control of getting to and from your destination. It’s a more important job than we give it credit for. Some things that can assist in current or up-and-coming driver-operators to become better operators follow.

1. Experience. I’m not talking about driving. I’m talking about riding seat three or four and learning your job as a firefighter first. This will assist you with driving by understanding the way certain calls will roll—i.e., what is the firefighter position’s job responsibility on a vehicle accident? It could be anything from patient care to setting up tools. Learn the job as a firefighter first so there is no confusion with what should take place. The same goes for a structure fire. Learn your seat assignment and become a master. You shouldn’t need to be told step by step what to do on every incident. A brief description of the task should be all that is required to accomplish the job at hand. Being a good firefighter will assist in roles down the road as you promote through your career. Most firefighters have a good understanding of what the first, second, third, and even fourth engine companies are accomplishing and can roll right into their role in sequence.
2. Take time and care in educating yourself. Once you get the nod from a superior to start driving and operating the rig, make sure you take the time to learn as much about it as you can. There are usually some basic courses that have to be taken prior to this happening. In Florida, most departments require a minimum of an emergency vehicle operators’ course (EVOC) and possibly fire service hydraulics before you can even start training on the truck. Take these courses and truly learn from them. The training does not end when you are finished with whatever prerequisites are required. There is plenty of hands-on training that your company can get in on. Someone has to pull and hold the lines while you learn what and how to pump appropriately. Hydrant connections, secondary supply, fire department connections (FDCs), dual pump vs. relay pump—the options are unlimited with the amount of training opportunities available. Also, pull from senior firefighters/engineers for nuggets of wisdom and training. Believe that most of those folks have seen it and done it in their careers. Let them show you what they do and what they did when they had their own issues on scenes. The experience that the senior personnel can give you in training is worth the price of admission for sure and usually only costs a little respect to be given.
3. Learn your streets! Read more
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