A focused, simulator-paired course covering the absolute essentials of fire pump operations — pump theory, hydraulics, water supply, and the practical skills you need at the panel.
What you'll learn
Identify apparatus and pump types and read the rating plate that tells you what each can do
Apply water and pressure fundamentals — friction loss, elevation, and how pressure moves through a hose lay
Calculate pump discharge pressure for single- and multi-line evolutions
Engage the pump from a cold start and stabilize the discharge with throttle, governor, or relief valve
Build a water supply from booster tank, pressurized hydrant, or a static source by drafting
Recognize and respond to cavitation, water hammer, and overheating before they damage the pump
Curriculum
8 chapters · ~2 hr 2 min of reading, plus sim tasks in the pump simulator.
01
The Pump Operator Role
Free
What a pump operator does, why it matters, and the safety mindset.
8 minQuiz
02
Apparatus & Pump Types
Engine types, drive systems, pressure controls, and what the rating plates tell you.
15 minQuiz2 sim tasks
03
Water & Pressure Fundamentals
Properties of water, friction loss, elevation, and how pressure works in a hose lay.
12 minQuiz
04
Hose, Nozzles & Flow Rates
Hose sizes, nozzle types, flow rates, and the master streams that flow more than handlines can.
12 minQuiz
05
Pressure Calculations (PDP)
Calculating pump discharge pressure: nozzle pressure + friction loss + elevation, including standpipes and multi-line operations.
18 minQuiz2 sim tasks
06
Pump Theory & Operation
Centrifugal pump basics; engaging the pump on split-shaft and PTO drives; governor vs. discharge relief valve.
19 minQuiz3 sim tasks
07
Water Supply: Tank, Hydrant, Draft
Supplying the pump: booster tank, pressurized hydrants, drafting from static sources, and managing mid-operation supply transitions.
20 minQuiz2 sim tasks
08
Troubleshooting & Safety
Cavitation, water hammer, overheating, dry running, and the safety habits and shutdown discipline that prevent damage and injury.
18 minQuiz3 sim tasks
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any prior pump-operations experience?
No. The course starts with the pump operator role and builds from water-and-pressure fundamentals through pump theory, operation, and water supply. Firefighters preparing for their first pump assignment, drivers cross-training to pump operator, and experienced operators who want a structured refresher all get value from it.
What's included with the course?
All chapters, every embedded sim task, every quiz, a completion certificate, and lifetime access. New revisions to the course are included at no extra charge.
How is this different from a video course?
The course is paired with the Fire Pump Simulator. Most chapters include sim tasks you actually perform on a realistic pump panel — engaging the pump, setting discharge pressure, drafting from a static source — so the practice is hands-on, not passive.
Does the course count for NFPA 1002 or department CE credit?
The content is mapped to NFPA 1002 pump operator competencies, but whether it counts toward continuing education credit is up to your department or authority having jurisdiction. The certificate of completion documents the chapters you finished and the sim tasks you passed — share it with your training officer.
Can I do it on a phone or tablet?
The reading and quizzes work on any device. The sim tasks need a screen large enough to operate the pump panel comfortably — a tablet in landscape or a laptop is the sweet spot.
What's the refund policy?
If the course is not what you expected, email us within 5 days of purchase and we will refund you, no questions asked.
Ready to start the course?
Get lifetime access for $20. First chapter is free — no credit card to start.