Article 08

Water Supply: The Operating And Supply Pumper Concept

With the increased use of large-diameter hose over the years, departments with varying area/district restrictions have had to change their procedures and guidelines to increase the efficiency and effectiveness for establishing and delivering water. For many, the change hasn’t been easy. Those that have not fallen into the mode of thinking that “this can’t work here” or “we have been doing it this way for years, why change now?” have adapted and are continually reviewing policy and procedures, striving for increased efficiency. This process must continue regardless of the procedure or guideline.

Considerations for a standard or guideline relating to engine company placement and operations at fire incidents most times are dictated by the number of apparatus responding to an incident and the staffing of each apparatus. Your resources will determine the number of options available to you.

THE OPERATING AND SUPPLY PUMPER CONCEPT
Many departments use the operating and supply pumper concept, which is based on staffing of an officer and three to four firefighters on each apparatus and a minimum of two engine companies.

The operating and supply pumper guideline uses the first two arriving engine companies. It places the first-arriving engine company (E-1) in an operating or attack position within the tactical zone while the second-arriving engine (E-2) establishes a supply position at a hydrant or other water source and pumps water to the first-arriving engine company. This method of moving water is referred to as “positive pumping.”

Positive pumping is the concept of placing a fire department pumper directly at a water source and pumping water to another pumper directly at the fire scene. This system allows for a very effective and efficient flow to the fireground.

APPARATUS PLACEMENT/OPERATING PUMPER (E-1)
With the tactical zone being defined as the area at or near the fire building, many departments that use the operating and supply pumper concept have the first-arriving engine company (E-1) proceed down the street, placing the apparatus just past the fire building. This position allows for the following:

• It involves shorter and easier-managed hose stretches because the hosebed faces the fire building.
• In some situations, it enables the first-arriving officer to view three sides of the building during this process.
• It leaves the front of the building open for the first-arriving ladder company.

In Jersey City, New Jersey, for example, the placement guideline for the first-arriving engine company states that the engine company should proceed past the fire building an approximate distance of two building widths to facilitate the placement not only of one but possibly two ladder companies into the tactical zone. This guideline may vary for a number of reasons, most notably the type of aerial apparatus, the fire’s location and anticipated spread, and the type and square footage of the building(s) involved.

Since the average residential building lot in many areas of Jersey City measures approximately 25 feet by 100 feet, this guideline places the first-arriving engine company only approximately 25 to 50 feet past the fire building, eliminating the concern of an extended hose stretch. It is important to note during this process that engine company chauffeurs/engineers must be reminded to resist the temptation to hook up to a hydrant in front of the fire building. If a hydrant is in front of the building, engine company chauffeurs/engineers can hand stretch a supply hoseline from the pumper back to the hydrant once the apparatus is properly placed (see Figure 1).

APPARATUS PLACEMENT/SUPPLY PUMPER (E-2)
If the first-arriving engine company has not secured its own water supply, then the second-arriving engine company is assigned the responsibility of the supply pumper. Whether it will move into the street will be dictated by its arrival time behind the first-due engine company, the arrival and placement of the first-due ladder company, and the width of and traffic flow on the street on which the fire is located.

In many congested parts of the country, departments are plagued by narrow, one-way streets. Streets of this type require disciplined movement and placement of first-arriving companies. Ignoring traffic flow can result in companies responding in from both directions, pinning civilian traffic in front of or near the fire building.

With this concern in mind, many departments require that the first-arriving engine and ladder companies proceed into the street with the flow of traffic to literally push all civilian traffic out of the block. Once fire department ownership of the block is established, additional apparatus can be positioned accordingly.

Once the first-arriving engine and ladder companies are in place, the second-arriving engine company (supply pumper) is then required to back into the street from the closest cross street and drop a manifold and supply hoseline to the operating pumper (E-1) before proceeding to the nearest available hydrant (see Figure 2).

Wider streets of two-way traffic obviously are going to be much easier to factor. With the first-due operating pumper in place, the second-arriving supply pumper can pull past the first-due engine company and drop its manifold and supply hoseline and then proceed to a nearby water source in its direction of travel (see Figure 3).

ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST-DUE LADDER COMPANY
In many towns and cities, it is critical that the first-due ladder company be given the key position in front of the fire building. This area is reserved for the ladder company to facilitate placement of ladders. Allowing enough room for the ladder company to maneuver is critical. Depending on the type of aerial device and the conditions present, the ladder company officer may want the turntable of the apparatus on the corner of the building to enable the ladder to reach two sides if necessary. In larger buildings, two ladder companies at both corners of the building may allow aerial access to three sides of the building. To ensure placement concerns for the arriving ladder company, the second-due engine company has to allow the approaching ladder company the opportunity to proceed into the block before it does. If the ladder company is not within sight, the engine company officer may elect to go around the block and back into the operating pumper from the opposite cross street and then proceed out to a water source. The later consideration is a viable option when the building on fire is closer to that cross street. The bottom line is, leave the front of the building open for the ladder company.

SIMULTANEOUS ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST- AND SECOND-DUE ENGINE COMPANIES
When the first- and second-due engine companies arrive at a narrow street at the same time or in close proximity to one another, a simple yet effective procedure will allow for faster delivery of water. In Jersey City, the term used by engine company officers for this procedure is the “bump up.”

As the first-arriving engine company (E-1) proceeds into the block, the second-arriving engine (E-2) can pull in right behind it and assume the responsibility of the operating/attack pumper. This procedure requires that the arriving engine companies actually switch roles and responsibilities. The officer from the second-arriving engine company radios the first-arriving engine company and informs him that it will assume the operating position. With this in mind, the first-arriving engine will now proceed far enough past the fire building so it can drop its manifold and supply hoseline before continuing on to a water source. This procedure is extremely quick and efficient when the circumstances allow it to happen (see Figure 4).

OPERATIONAL CONCERNS
Regarding these placement guidelines, people have expressed concern about the difficulty and time associated with backing down into the street in some of the examples mentioned. Keep in mind that backing up is a procedure many companies do dozens of times during a shift. This should not be a new or an unexplored option. Placing a firefighter behind the apparatus as it backs down the street enables him to guide the chauffeur/engineer into the tactical zone. During this same time, other members can look for an accessible hydrant for their supply needs, which can sometimes be a little difficult on dark, car-lined streets.

Another concern is the “bump up” or “switch” position of the first- and second-arriving engine companies. No one, especially the first-arriving engine, likes to give up its attack position and assume the water supply responsibilities, especially when it’s first due.

To avoid any confusion with this procedure, we use this option when both engine companies arrive at an incident simultaneously or in close proximity to one another. If the second-arriving engine company does not see the first-arriving engine company pull into the street, it cannot pull wildly into the block and attempt to take this position. The first-arriving engine may have already placed its apparatus and stretched its first hoseline. Attempting to “bump it up” at this time will prove to be counterproductive. This must be a well-calculated approach. A tip we use is, If you don’t see them but hear them call on the scene, don’t consider the option.

ADDITIONAL ARRIVING ENGINE COMPANIES
When third- and fourth-due engine companies are assigned to the incident, departments using this concept will attempt to establish a second set of operating and supply pumpers, placing an additional engine into the tactical zone. Then, supplying that pumper with another supply pumper allows for a greater and more efficient flow where it is needed the most. Undoubtedly with this added procedure, additional supply pumpers should attempt to use alternate water mains or water sources to ensure adequate and continuous flows to the fireground (see Figure 5).

The above is not intended to change what is currently working for you but to provide additional thoughts on establishing and delivering water. It all comes down to the best way to provide an efficient, effective, and safe supply of moving water in your town or city.