Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator (1st Edition)
Chapter 2 Terms
Types of Fire Apparatus Equipped with a Fire Pump
Attack Pumper
Pumper that is positioned at the fire scene and is directly supplying attack lines.
Baffle
Intermediate partial bulkhead that reduces the surge effect in a partially loaded liquid tank.
Brush Apparatus
Fire department apparatus designed specifically for fighting wildland fires. Synonymous with Booster Apparatus,
Brush Patrol, Brush Pumper, Wildland Fire Apparatus, and Field Unit.
Fire Boat
Boat that carries large fire pumps and is capable of supplying boat-mounted master streams or water supply hoselines to land-based fire fighting apparatus. Synonymous with Marine Unit.
Fire Department Pumper
Piece of fire apparatus having a permanently mounted fire pump with a rated discharge capacity of 750 gpm or greater.
This apparatus may also carry water, hose, and other portable equipment.
Generator
Auxiliary electrical power generating device. Portable generators are powered by small gasoline or diesel engines and generally have 110- and/or 220-volt capacities.
Gradability
Ability of a piece of apparatus to traverse various terrain configurations.
Initial Attack Apparatus
Fire apparatus whose primary purpose is to initiate a fire attack on structural and wildland fires and support associated fire department actions. Synonymous with Minipumpers, Light Attack Vehicle, or Midipumpers.
Inverter
Auxiliary electrical power generating device. The inverter is a step-up transformer that converts the vehicle's 12- or 24volt DC current into 110- or 220-volt AC current.
Manifold
(1) Hose appliance that divides one larger hoseline into three or more small hoselines. Synonymous with Portable
Hydrant. (2) Hose appliance that combines three or more smaller hoselines into one large hoseline. (3) Top portion of the pump casing.
Mobile Water Supply Apparatus
Fire apparatus with a water tank of 1,000 gallons or larger whose primary purpose is transporting water. The truck may also carry a pump, some hose, and other equipment. Synonymous with Tenders or Tankers.
Nonconforming Apparatus
Apparatus that does not conform to the standards set forth by NFPA standards.
Nurse Tender
Very large mobile water supply apparatus that is stationed at the fire scene and serves as a portable reservoir rather than as a shuttle tender. Synonymous with Nurse Tanker.
Pump and Roll
Ability of an apparatus to pump water while the vehicle is in motion.

Pumper Tanker
A mobile water supply apparatus equipped with a fire pump. In some jurisdictions, this term is used to differentiate a fire pump equipped mobile water supply apparatus whose main purpose is to attack the fire.
Pumping Apparatus
Fire department apparatus that has the primary responsibility to pump water.
Quad
Four-way combination fire apparatus; sometimes referred to as quadruple combination. A quad combines the water tank, pump, and hose of a pumper with the ground ladder complement of a truck company.
Quint
Fire apparatus equipped with a fire pump, water tank, ground ladders, and hose bed in addition to the aerial device.
Rescue Pumper
Specially designed apparatus that combines the functions of both a rescue vehicle and a fire department pumper.
Triple Combination Pumper
Fire department pumper that carries a fire pump, hose, and a water tank.
Water Shuttle Operation
Method of water supply by which tenders/tankers continuously transport water between a fill site and the dump site located near the emergency scene. Synonymous with Tanker Shuttle Operation.
Water Supply Pumper
Pumper that takes water from a source and sends it to attack pumpers operating at the fire scene.