BY MARK J. ROSSI
Driver-engineers (D-Es) directly control how much water goes on the fire and how quickly it will get there. The fire pump of the first-due engine is the heart of the fireground. If every part works as it should, the fire will go out quickly and effectively. If the pump breaks down, the fire wins; property is lost and, in the worst scenario, lives are lost. Much like arteries and veins and blood circulating through the body, the fire pump's network of intake valves and discharge valves helps move water from static sources to the fire and allows D-Es to perform their job.
The apparatus and equipment used change and vary depending on the department, standard operating procedures, and city budgets. There are many apparatus, tools, and equipment from which to chose, and no one tool or truck is right for every situation. With all the latest technology in apparatus design, pump panel layout, and hose and nozzle selection, D-Es debate about their favorites. Debatable subjects include choices of pump panel positions and layouts, single- vs. dual-stage pumps, pressure governors, and nozzle selection for bread-and-butter operations. This article provides insight into these subjects and feedback from experienced engineers still on the job. If you were to ask the engineers in your department what they prefer with regard to the items below, you most likely would get a different answer from each.
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