Pump Testing. We were preforming our first pump test of the day. We had three separate sections of 2 1/2″ hose each 100′ in length attached to ground monitor with a monitoring device for gallons per minute. We just finished our first capacity test at 1250 gallons per minute. The firefighter working with me knew how to change the tips on the monitoring device, and i covered this with him to make sure. I advised the firefighter to wait until i stopped to water flow to change the tip in the monitoring device. He confirmed. While walking to the apparatus i heard the water make noise as if it were spraying against something. I turned around to see the firefighter being thrown by the water stream into a tree. I ran back over to the firefighter and he passed out shortly afterwards. EMS was called and the firefighter was transported to the local hospital. He was released later that day.
There were quite a few lessons learned that day. #1 Always train your firefighters on the do’s and dont’s of pump testing. This firefighter decided to change the direction of the stream after i set the ground monitor. This caused the ground monitor to fly out of control. #2 Advise firefighters not to mess with the ground monitor. #3 Stay away from these devices unless a absolute necessity. We used to stand by the monitor throughout the test. Now we take the reading and stand back. #4 Wear helmets. The firefighter operating the pump and the firefighter checking the ground monitor should wear helmets. #5 If possible use a remote pressure reading device. This would keep you away from the ground monitor and out of harms way.
