How do they hear around truck ? Engine was rear pump panel and pump operator turned on wrong hose. Almost took out another firefighter that was connecting, this same hose adding length. Couldn't tell or yell to him to shut down this hose. Firefight laid down on ground to get away from flying hose....
When my dad was a firefighter he was our main pump operator. He wore the headsets with one ear uncovered just for that reason. Now when I am on the pump that's how I do it. I guess it's like they say, "Like father, Like son"
If the pump operator is or is not wearing a headset he had better at least have a portable radio or somesort of communication with IC, if not then they better figure out something in a damn hurry before someone gets hurt or killed.
I haven't read all the replies but I hated wearing a headset. We have a Squrt so If I wasn't on the pump I was at the boom. Then not being able to hear when I did wear on I always keep on side off. If I was first in I didn't wear it until the lines were off and the supply hooked up. Things seemed to slow down then and there wasn't alot of running around.
Absolutely correct on all points. If the guys on the other end of those lines don't have total confidence in the ability of the engineer he might need to brush up on his skills. Their lives are sometimes in his hands.
all our trucks have ear cups for the pump operators. i don't use them because i want to hear my truck and the pump so i know if we have any problems. i have a radio in my turn outs listening to all traffic.
I agree with you Kirk, we have a headset that goes to the radio, but I keep one ear cup alittle off of my ear so I can hear the pump, some may ask why listen to the pump, if you can hear the whine in the pump its fine.