Don't Touch the Red Button: Understanding the Ins and Outs of Pump Controls
When it comes to operating a pump, we are told to push this, pull that, don't touch this, always do one thing, and never do another. But why? In many departments, this information has been passed down from one generation of pump operator to the next. Unfortunately, this tribal knowledge often does not keep up with changes in technology and leaves out the critical why of the process. What do the controls on a pump panel do and why do they do it? How controls impact getting water to the fire is critical for an operator to understand. Competent pump operators understand the how, what, and why behind all the pump controls, allowing them to consistently get water to the fire and proficiently troubleshoot issues when things go wrong. This class will discuss the evolution of pump controls and how operators must approach running a pump with each generation of controls.
