What does a pump panel on a fire engine control?

The pump panel on a fire engine is specifically designed to control the operation of the fire pump and manage the distribution of water to various hoses and equipment. This panel allows firefighters to adjust the pressure, flow, and direction of water, ensuring that it can be delivered effectively to the site of a fire. Proper operation of the pump panel is critical, as it affects the performance of fire suppression efforts. Firefighters must understand how to use the pump panel to ensure they can deliver the necessary resources quickly and efficiently during an emergency response.

The other options, while related to fire operations, do not accurately describe the primary function of the pump panel. The speed of the fire engine relates to the vehicle’s performance and is controlled by the engine and transmission systems rather than the pump panel. Tension in fire hoses relates to their handling and deployment, not the function of the pump panel, which focuses on water flow. Communication equipment, while essential for coordination during firefighting operations, is separate from the apparatus that manages water delivery and is not controlled through the pump panel.