Course · paired with the simulator

Fire Pump Operator Essentials

Hands-on NFPA pump operations, condensed.

$208 chapters~2 hr 2 minFirst chapter free

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

Curriculum

8 chapters · ~2 hr 2 min of reading, plus sim tasks in the pump simulator.

  1. 01

    The Pump Operator Role

    Free

    What a pump operator does, why it matters, and the safety mindset.

    8 minQuiz
  2. 02

    Apparatus & Pump Types

    Engine types, drive systems, pressure controls, and what the rating plates tell you.

    15 minQuiz2 sim tasks
  3. 03

    Water & Pressure Fundamentals

    Properties of water, friction loss, elevation, and how pressure works in a hose lay.

    12 minQuiz
  4. 04

    Hose, Nozzles & Flow Rates

    Hose sizes, nozzle types, flow rates, and the master streams that flow more than handlines can.

    12 minQuiz
  5. 05

    Pressure Calculations (PDP)

    Calculating pump discharge pressure: nozzle pressure + friction loss + elevation, including standpipes and multi-line operations.

    18 minQuiz2 sim tasks
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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.