How a Fire Engine Works
A standard pumper truck is designed to transport crew, tools, water, and pumping capabilities to the scene of an incident.
Exterior Features
- Warning lights and steady beams for scene illumination
- Pump located mid-ship with rear storage compartments
- Folding steps for roof access and hosebed, ladders, and tools
- Electronic speaker, preconnected hose, air horns, and “Federal Q” siren
Pump and Controls
- Intake pressure gauge, engine temperature, RPMs, fuel, and oil pressure monitoring
- Manual engine throttle knob, master pressure gauge, and smaller pressure gauges
- Knobs for diverting water for engine and pump cooling, pump primer controls, and tank filler knob
Pump Operation
- Pump is powered by the diesel engine through the drive shaft
- Impeller performs the pumping work, rated up to 3,000 gallons per minute
- 2 1/2 to 3 in. diameter hoses in a crosslay compartment for quick access
- Smaller 1 1/2″ booster hose on a reel for small fires or washing hazardous substances
Water Tank and Storage
- Onboard water tank holds 1,000 gallons of water
- Tank is divided into sections with baffle walls to tame sloshing water
- Rear storage area contains tools for different incidents, including hose couplings, nozzles, and extinguishers
Interior Features
- Driver’s cab has switchbank, push button gear shifter, central panel with screen, and road-to-pump switch
- Officer’s side has siren control, external radio communications, public address speaker, and command laptop
- Crew members sit in special fire seats with oxygen canisters, brackets, and support padding
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Pumper Truck | A standard vehicle designed to transport crew, tools, water, and pumping capabilities to the scene of an incident. | The fire department’s pumper truck arrived at the scene of the five-alarm fire. |
| Intake Pressure Gauge | A device that measures the pressure of the air or water being drawn into the pump. | The firefighter checked the intake pressure gauge to ensure the pump was functioning properly. |
| Impeller | A component of the pump that performs the pumping work, rated up to 3,000 gallons per minute. | The impeller was designed to withstand high pressures and temperatures. |
| Booster Hose | A smaller hose used for small fires or washing hazardous substances, typically 1 1/2 inches in diameter. | The firefighter quickly deployed the booster hose to extinguish the small fire. |
| Baffle Walls | Dividers within the water tank that help to tame sloshing water and prevent it from spilling over. | The baffle walls in the water tank helped to reduce the noise and vibration during pumping. |
| Officer’s Side | The side of the vehicle where the officer sits and controls the siren, radio communications, and other systems. | The officer on the officer’s side was in charge of directing the crew and communicating with dispatch. |
| Folding Steps | Steps that can be folded up to provide access to the roof of the vehicle for climbing or accessing equipment. | The firefighter used the folding steps to climb up to the roof of the pumper truck. |
| Preconnected Hose | A hose that is already connected to the pump and ready for use in an emergency. | The preconnected hose allowed the firefighters to quickly deploy the water stream. |
| Drive Shaft | A mechanical component that connects the diesel engine to the pump, transmitting power and rotation. | The drive shaft was designed to withstand the high torque and pressure generated by the pump. |
| Central Panel | A control panel located in the driver’s cab that houses various switches, buttons, and displays. | The central panel allowed the driver to control the pump, lights, and other systems from a single location. |
Vocabulary Quiz: How a Fire Engine Works
Choose the correct meaning for each vocabulary word.
- What does the word “illumination” mean?
- A) The process of making something darker
- B) The act of providing light
- C) The sound of a siren
- D) The movement of a fire truck
- What is a “baffle” in the context of a fire engine’s water tank?
- A) A type of fire extinguisher
- B) A wall that reduces the movement of water
- C) A type of hose coupling
- D) A tool for pumping water
- What is the purpose of a “crosslay” compartment?
- A) To store small fires
- B) To hold oxygen canisters
- C) To provide quick access to hoses
- D) To control the siren
- What is an “impeller” in the context of a fire engine’s pump?
- A) A type of fire hose
- B) A part that performs the pumping work
- C) A type of warning light
- D) A type of speaker
- What is the purpose of a “primer” control on a fire engine’s pump?
- A) To monitor engine temperature
- B) To control the flow of water
- C) To prepare the pump for operation
- D) To communicate with other firefighters
Answer Key
- B) The act of providing light
- B) A wall that reduces the movement of water
- C) To provide quick access to hoses
- B) A part that performs the pumping work
- C) To prepare the pump for operation
The Use of the Passive Voice in Technical Descriptions
| Explanation |
|---|
| The passive voice is often used in technical descriptions to focus on the action rather than the doer of the action. This is particularly useful when the doer of the action is not important or is obvious from the context. In the provided text, the passive voice is used to describe the features and functions of a fire engine. For example, “Warning lights and steady beams are designed for scene illumination” instead of “The designers designed the warning lights and steady beams for scene illumination”. |
Grammar Quiz
1. The pump ____________________ by the diesel engine through the drive shaft.
A) is powered
B) powers
C) is powering
D) powered
2. The impeller ____________________ the pumping work, rated up to 3,000 gallons per minute.
A) performs
B) is performing
C) performed
D) perform
3. The onboard water tank ____________________ into sections with baffle walls to tame sloshing water.
A) is divided
B) divides
C) divided
D) is dividing
4. The rear storage area ____________________ with tools for different incidents, including hose couplings, nozzles, and extinguishers.
A) contains
B) is contained
C) contain
D) contained
5. The crew members ____________________ in special fire seats with oxygen canisters, brackets, and support padding.
A) sit
B) are sitting
C) are sat
D) sat
Quiz Answer Key
1. A) is powered
2. A) performs
3. A) is divided
4. A) contains
5. A) sit
