Tank to pump debate

[jamesford]

This is a perfect example of someone who is a legend in their own mind.

[charlessmith]

I can only say concerning this fire dept where I am. The engineer has a multitude of task to accomplish. Once an external water supply has been established, I close the pump to tank valve. I can not sit and watch the gauges... if there is a catastrophic loss of water, the engine will cavitate and everyone will know it. This is the warning that there is only 750 gal of water left. This allows me to pull the tank to pump to return "retreat/escape" water to the attack line. This should take no more than a few seconds. I also alert the IC and fire crews via radio of the situation of the lost main water supply.
If I were on the attack line, I would much rather have a momentary loss of water than a total loss of water.

[SparkysGarage]

Love the open “find what fits” mindset. Good job.

[chriselliott]

Very concise and to the point.
Bravo!!!!

[tracysmith-lacey]

You should always isolate your tank. And fill your booster tank as soon as you have a hydrant tagged.

[adamtheheavyequipmentmechanic]

that last parts very true, gotta work with what you got. train for that 3am fire where everyones tired and no coffee in sight.

[sknchill]

Whatever way you run it, train like a MF and know your shit inside and out.

Know what the pro’s and con’s are. Be flexible, know your equipment and how to solve problems.

Also, tank to pump open always is way better. Change my mind.

[paftaf]

If you lose your pressurized water, you need to get the crew out of the building right away. The tank water will only give you about a minute. It’s not an insurance plan, it’s an emergency backup for retreat.

[kenoconnell]

Necroposting, but who cares.

If you have ever had an inexperienced pump operator overheat the pump by running it up during morning checks without giving the water somewhere to go, the heat will damage or destroy the pump packing, making it leak.

In that case, if you routinely drive around with your tank to pump open and the packing leaking, you've emptied your tank long before the tones dropped.

[davewalton]

drewmurtagh, you don't mention it in the video but, while your running with the TTP open while hooked to a hydrant are you also leaving the PTT valve open?? you would have to or you would end up using your tank water along with hydrant and end up with a empty tank. Yes?

[michaelmonaghan]

A lot of good insight, and well spoken!

[kenbrown]

if you want to put extra steps in between getting the alarm, and putting the wet stuff on the red stuff, park your engines nose into the station, so you have to back out. OWN your intentional inefficiency.

[georgewashington]

After 30 years in the Fire Service I can't believe what is happening. Are the POs really this dumb? Don't they have ears? Don't they check the pump settings? Hey boss anybody inside a "fully involved" structure is a fool. You guys needed to have some older experienced jakes start to teach the stuff we learned in the 1950s.

[ashleyhoward]

4:50 your driver should be checking valves daily when he takes over the pump at the start of his shift, surely? Is it not part of his daily checks in any US Fire Dept?

[daniels.]

it does not take a lot of effort to pull Tank To Pump. Just pull it. Quit being lazy.

[jamjardj]

U.S. fire engines seem to be made overly complicated.

[garthks]

I am extremely old school, and I actually prefer to use a Booster Line if I am in a Low Water, or Low Man Power Situation. I can set the nozzle to a low GPM Setting, and stretch my Water Supply a little longer, and if it's only a crew of 3 total, Engineer, and Officer, and Nozzleman, a Booster Line being fed by a really good Engineer can make a low water supply last a long time, and with a really good fog pattern on a Booster Line Nozzle, a crew of 2 can handle it easy enough, and put out a lot of fire, as long as the building is not heavily involved upon arrival.

[chrisswin]

I see all these teachings. But they don't show the actual mechanical parts of the truck. When they don't do that. They look like dorks to me.