During a fire incident, what is the role of the pump operator?

The role of the pump operator during a fire incident is primarily focused on controlling the water supply to hose lines. This involves operating the fire apparatus pump to ensure that sufficient water is available at the correct pressure for effective firefighting efforts. The pump operator must monitor pressure gauges and adjust the pump's operation as needed to provide water to firefighters, thereby enabling them to combat the fire effectively. This responsibility is critical because inadequate water supply or improper pressure can hinder firefighting operations and put personnel and property in greater danger.

While supervising firefighters, maintaining communication with dispatch, and executing rescue operations are important aspects of fireground operations, they fall under the responsibilities of other team members or roles. The pump operator must concentrate on managing the water supply rather than direct supervision or rescue efforts, which allows other firefighters to focus on their specific tasks. Thus, focusing on water supply management is central to the pump operator's critical functions during an incident.