
A Better Approach to Pump Operator Training Evolutions
Live fire pump training is a risky and expensive proposition. It takes a pump apparatus out of service, tying up both equipment and firefighters. You have to run engines, burn fuel, pull multiple lines of hoses, flow water or foam, and run the risk of damaging the apparatus or injuring a firefighter.
As a result, pump operator training isn’t done often, and usually only includes evolutions for a narrow set of situations and operating conditions. All too often, the first hands-on experience a pump operator has with a critical operation under adverse conditions is on the fireground itself. That’s no place to find yourself wondering if poor water flow stems from a problem with your suction line, the impeller, an improperly set valve, the municipal water supply, or something else entirely.
Classroom training (e.g., lectures, textbooks, and desktop-based software sims) can only take you so far. Pump operators need hands-on training, so they can respond quickly to their entire environment, not just what they see on the panel. They need to be able to recognize cavitation sounds, feel shifts in how the pump is running, recognize equipment failures, and rapidly respond to radio communications.
With hands-on immersive simulation-based pump operator training, you can deliver real firefighting experiences at any time in a controlled, cost-effective, and fail-safe manner:
- Eliminate training-related service equipment wear or damage
- Stop wasting water or foam during training
- Prevent additional equipment maintenance
- Avoid taking firefighting assets or apparatus out of service
- Significantly reduce the chance of injury
- Virtually eliminate the environmental impact of training
Bringing the Highest Fidelity Possible to Fire Pump Operation Training
Pump-Ops—FAAC’s pump operator training solution—is a self-contained fire pump operations simulator, built from the ground up to foster the most realistic evolutions possible under any imaginable conditions.
Pump-Ops can be configured to represent a generic system or exactly match the equipment your agency uses. Each simulator is custom-built using real OEM switches, gauges, and levers that provide authentic, full-sensory feedback. The underlying simulation software accurately and precisely emulates hydraulics, water sources (static or pressurized), firefighting foam, and a comprehensive array of hose and nozzle configurations. An integrated sound system provides realistic engine, pump, primer, and cavitation sounds and vibrations, while a headset communication system feeds the trainee instructions and pre-recorded messages.
On Pump Ops, students will simultaneously practice:
- Equipment inspection, diagnostics, and reasoning skills
- Fire service hydraulics
- Communication skills
Pump Ops provides training based on a situationally aware “sequential approach.” Trainees don’t just learn by-the-book operations. Instead, they practice understanding the entire situation—including the effect of hose configuration, managing water sources, water flow, friction loss, foam concentration, equipment faults, and every possible challenge or equipment failure. From poor hydrant pressure to frozen or damaged pumps, they do so while responding to radio communication and changing conditions.

A Single Simulator Covering Every Aspect of Fire Pump Operation
The Pump-Ops fire pump operator simulator is built using real components that provide authentic tactile/visual/aural feedback. Pump-Ops can be configured to represent a generic system or can exactly match the equipment your agency uses.
Pump-Ops runs on simulation software that accurately and precisely emulates hydraulics, water sources (static or pressurized), firefighting foam, and a comprehensive array of hose and nozzle configurations. An integrated sound system provides realistic engine, pump, primer, and cavitation sounds and vibrations, while a headset communication system feeds the trainee instructions and pre-recorded messages. Pump-Ops doesn’t simply allow your staff to train on basic operations under good conditions—it creates every possible challenge or equipment failure (from poor hydrant pressure to frozen or damaged pumps). Students can simultaneously practice:
- equipment inspection, diagnostics, and reasoning skills
- fire service hydraulics
- communication skills
This touchscreen-controlled simulation software system gives complete control and flexibility to the instructor, throughout evolutions. Every pre-set Pump-Op evolution is drawn from the IFSTA Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator Skill Sheets, or can be customized to match your needs. Develop your own evolutions, configure your own hose/nozzles, and your create your own skill-sheets to meet your unique training needs.
The result: real firefighting experiences delivered in an economical, controlled, cost-effective, and fail-safe manner:
- Eliminate training-related service equipment wear or damage
- Stop wasting water or foam during training
- Prevent additional equipment maintenance
- Avoid taking firefighting assets or apparatus out of service
- Significantly reduce chance of injury
- Virtually eliminate environmental impact
All of this comes in a package that can be wheeled through standard doors and run in any classroom, just plug it into a standard 110V wall outlet. This pump operator training system can stand alone or be integrated with other FAAC fire training simulator systems.

Ready-to-Run Scenarios for Fire Service Training Courses
Pump Ops simulators arrive with a complete library of training scenarios and evolutions drawn from NFPA guidelines and IFSTA Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator Skill Sheets.
But trainers are by no means limited to the included library. Each scenario can be customized to match your needs, or you can develop your own evolutions from scratch. You can configure your own hoses/nozzles and create your own skill sheets and meet your unique training needs.
The trainer retains complete control throughout each training session and is able to set new conditions and trigger equipment faults on-the-fly while monitoring the trainee’s performance.
All of this comes in a stand-alone package that can be wheeled through standard doors and run in any classroom.

Fire Pump Simulation and the Continuum of Training
The Continuum of Training is a complete set of training simulators for firefighters and first responders. It integrates networked simulation systems for a true multi-disciplinary, full-cycle, immersive training solution. That training can include fire apparatus driving and operation, incident command, pumper operations, and hands-on firefighting. FAAC’s Continuum of Training convincingly emulates both the physical and emotional realities of a complex emergency, including multi-unit, multi-jurisdictional incidents, all within one scenario.
Continuum of Training solutions focus on:
- Fire truck driver training with crew training
- Situational awareness and judgment
- Equipment operation
- Firefighter safety
- Policy and procedures proficiency
- Incident command and control
Each evolution can include a variety of apparatus, vehicles, sites (e.g., airports, railways, industrial areas, city streets, single- or multi-family dwellings), and a range of weather conditions. Every evolution is fully programmable and customizable. Each can be modified by the trainer as it runs, keeping both students and seasoned firefighters on their toes. The trainer can change weather and visibility conditions mid-scenario, or take joystick control of pedestrians/animals/onlookers—emulating the real-world challenges of managing an incident scene in the age of social media.

Pump Operator Training Customer-for-Life
FAAC solutions go far beyond isolated skill drills and evolutions. These are tools for honing good judgment in the heat of the moment, even as a variety of factors and pressures compete for your attention.
We embrace a “Customer for Life” philosophy. That means investing the time upfront to understand your needs, then developing and delivering the appropriate turnkey solution. We’ll help you find the best way to integrate this custom solution into your training processes and support you in maintaining this solution as your needs change over time.
We don’t just sell equipment; we partner with municipalities, agencies, instructional organizations, and their staff and instructors to develop and create their ideal training solution.
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Related Simulator: Fire Pump Operator Simulator
Pump Ops is a simulation training device that provides a hands-on, immersive experience in the operation of an apparatus pump. This simulator exposes the trainee to various evolving situations that they can interact with in a safe classroom environment. Pump Ops provides training that cannot be duplicated safely using real apparatus. This saves wear and possible damage to firefighting apparatus.
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