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I. Identify Course Requirements
A. Facility requirements
B. Classroom requirements
C. Course requirements and syllabus
II. Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Pump Apparatus Certification Process
A. Courses required for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator-Pumping Apparatus certification
1. Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A: Driver Operator
2. Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1B: Pumping Apparatus Operations
B. Other Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator-Pumping Apparatus certification requirements
1. SFM Firefighter I
2. One year full-time paid or two years volunteer experience in a California fire department as a pumping apparatus driver/operator
3. Be appointed to the position of Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator
C. The Certification Task Book process
D. The Certification Testing process
III. Performing Routine Tests, Inspections and Servicing Functions Unique to Pumping Apparatus
A. Manufacturer's specifications and requirements
B. Agency's policies and procedures including documentation requirements
C. Pumping system components
1. Pump types
a. Positive displacement
b. Centrifugal
c. Single/multi-stage
2. Transfer of power
3. Priming systems
4. Pumping systems
5. Foam systems
6. Pressure control devices
7. Gauges
8. Valves and plumbing
9. Water tank and other extinguishing agent levels
a. Steel tanks
b. Aluminum tanks
c. Poly tanks
D. Use tools and equipment
E. Inspecting fire pumps and their components
F. Recognizing system problems
G. Correcting deficiencies according to policies and procedures and/or manufacturer's specifications
IV. Effective Hand and Master Streams
A. Hydraulic calculations for friction loss and flows using formulas and estimations
B. Pump discharge pressure calculations
C. Proper positioning of apparatus for different applications
1. Hydrants
2. Standpipes
3. Drafting
D. Safe pump operation
1. Introduction of water
2. Cavitation
3. Water hammer
4. Overheating
5. Discharge gates
6. Pressure control devices
E. Problems related to small diameter and dead-end mains
F. Low pressure and private water supply systems
G. Hydrant coding systems
H. Principles of drafting
I. Reliability of static water sources
J. Apparatus positioning for hydrants and static water sources
K. Transferring power from the engine to pump
L. Drafting
M. Operating pump pressure control systems
N. Operating multi-stage pump transfer valves
O. Operating auxiliary cooling systems
P. Transferring from and internal to an external water supply
Q. Assembling hose lines, nozzles, valves, and appliances
R. Use of hydraulic calculations to produce effective streams
V. Relay Pumping Operations
A. Need for relay pump operations
B. Hydraulic calculations for friction loss and flows using formulas and estimations
C. Pump discharge pressure calculations
D. Apparatus positioning for hydrants and static water sources
E. Transferring power from the engine to pump
F. Draft
G. Operating pump pressure control systems
H. Operating multi-stage pump transfer valves
I. Operating auxiliary cooling systems
J. Transferring from and internal to an external water supply
K. Assembling hose lines, nozzles, valves, and appliances
L. Use of hydraulic calculations in relay operations
VI. Producing Foam Fire Streams
A. Proportioning rates and concentrations
B. Foam making equipment and assembly procedures
C. Foam system limitations
D. Manufacturer's specifications and requirements
E. Operating foam proportioning equipment
F. Connecting foam stream equipment
VII. Supplying Water to Fire Sprinkler Systems and Standpipes
A. Hydraulic calculations for friction loss and flows using formulas and estimations
B. Pump discharge pressure calculations
C. Hose layouts
D. Locations of fire department connections
E. Alternate supply procedures for fire department connections
F. Sprinkler system operating principles per NFPA 13
G. Fire department operations in sprinklered building per NFPA 13
H. Standpipe system operating principles per NFPA 14
I. Positioning apparatus to operate at a fire hydrant
J. Transferring power from the engine to pump
K. Operating pumper pressure control systems
L. Operating multi-stage pump transfer valves
M. Operating auxiliary cooling systems
N. Transferring from and internal to an external water supply
O. Assembling hose lines, nozzles, valves, and appliances
P. Applying hydraulic calculations to sprinkler and standpipe systems
All topics are covered in both the lecture and lab parts of the course.
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Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook. 3rd ed. International Fire Service Training Association. 2015 (classic).
Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator. 2nd ed. Jones and Bartlett. 2016 (classic).
California State Fire Training Student Supplement. 2015 (classic).
California Commercial Driver handbook, DMV, current edition.
Instructor prepared materials