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TCFP Driver/Operator – Mobile Water Supply Exam
Questions and Correct Detailed Answers 2025
(Verified Answers)
- What is the primary purpose of a mobile water supply apparatus? A. Medical transport B. Water transport to fire scenes lacking hydrants C. Rescue operations D. Supplying foam systems
Mobile water supply apparatus are designed to transport water to
areas without adequate water supply, such as rural locations.
- What is the minimum required water tank capacity for a mobile water supply apparatus per NFPA 1901? A. 500 gallons B. 1000 gallons C. 750 gallons D. 1500 gallons
NFPA 1901 requires mobile water supply apparatus to carry at least
1000 gallons of water.
- What is a "tender" in mobile water supply operations?
A. A fire truck used for rescue B. A vehicle used to transport water to the fireground C. A hose line D. A firefighter role
The term "tender" or "tanker" is used for vehicles transporting water in
mobile supply operations.
- Which of the following is a common water dump method used by mobile water supply apparatus? A. Pressure relief B. Manual pouring C. Gravity dump through a valve D. Suction intake
Gravity dump systems allow for quick and efficient offloading of water
through a large dump valve.
- What component helps direct the water from the dump valve into the portable tank? A. Baffle B. Suction hose C. Dump chute D. Jet siphon
The dump chute channels the water flow into the portable tank
efficiently.
A. Near the fill site B. At the water source C. Near the fire scene D. At the station
Dump sites are established close to the fire to quickly offload water.
10.What is the primary risk of overfilling a mobile water tank? A. Low water pressure B. Water overflow and vehicle instability C. Air bubbles in the system D. Pump damage
Overfilling can cause water to spill, shifting the center of gravity and
increasing rollover risk.
11.NFPA 1901 defines mobile water supply apparatus as having a minimum pump capacity of: A. 500 GPM B. 750 GPM C. 250 GPM D. 1000 GPM
Mobile water supply vehicles must have at least a 250 GPM pump.
12.Portable water tanks used in shuttle operations are typically made of:
A. Aluminum B. Foldable synthetic fabric with metal frames C. PVC pipes D. Glass
These tanks are collapsible for storage and easy to deploy on-scene.
13.Which of the following is critical for safe driving of a water tender? A. Engine power B. Color of the vehicle C. Vehicle weight and center of gravity D. Hose length
Knowing the vehicle’s weight and center of gravity ensures safe
maneuvering, especially when full.
14.What is the most efficient water shuttle configuration? A. One tender and one tank B. Continuous loop of multiple tenders between fill and dump sites C. Single hose from hydrant D. Direct fill with buckets
Using multiple tenders in a loop ensures uninterrupted water supply.
15.Which of the following best improves turnaround time in a shuttle operation? A. Using smaller tenders B. Minimizing fill and dump times
C. Wet standpipe operation D. Pump testing
Dry hydrants connect apparatus to ponds or lakes for drafting without
priming water.
19.When should a tender be placed out of service? A. At 75% fuel B. With a leak in the tank or brake failure C. Minor paint damage D. After each call
Mechanical or safety issues like leaks or brake failure warrant removal
from service.
20.What is the best way to communicate between dump and fill site personnel? A. Shouting B. Signal flags C. Radios D. Cellphones
Radios provide reliable and immediate communication during
operations.
21.What is the function of a pump-and-roll feature?
A. Quick braking B. Allow water pumping while vehicle is moving C. Shut off water D. Regulate steering
Pump-and-roll enables apparatus to apply water while slowly moving.
22.What is a "nurse tender"? A. Tender used in EMS B. A tender directly supplying water to the attack engine C. Tender that holds medical supplies D. A standby tender
Nurse tenders pump water directly into the fire engine at the scene.
23.The NFPA recommends a tender driver complete how many hours of training? A. 8 B. 24 C. 16 D. 32
Minimum training ensures drivers are capable of handling mobile water
supply apparatus safely.
24.Which of the following contributes to "sloshing"? A. Overfilled tires B. Inadequate baffles in the tank
Dual dumps offer flexibility in positioning and speed of unloading.
28.What piece of equipment ensures water flows out quickly during gravity dumping? A. Priming valve B. Booster pump C. Large diameter dump valve D. Backflow preventer
Larger dump valves decrease resistance and increase flow rates.
29.What is the main concern when driving a fully loaded tender downhill? A. Fuel economy B. Braking distance and control C. Tire size D. Paint temperature
Heavy water loads increase stopping distance and require careful
braking.
30.A siphon with insufficient head pressure will: A. Overflow B. Fail to move water C. Suck air D. Damage the tank
Without enough elevation difference or pressure, siphons cannot
function effectively.
31.Which is the best indicator of a successful shuttle operation? A. Amount of hose used B. Number of tenders used C. Gallons per minute delivered to the fire D. Engine RPM
The ultimate goal is consistent and adequate GPM at the fire scene.
32.A vacuum-type tender uses vacuum pressure to: A. Create foam B. Fill and unload water C. Remove debris D. Prime the engine
Vacuum systems allow water to be drawn in and expelled without
pumps.
33.Tanker rollover is most likely to occur during: A. Parking B. Straight-line driving C. Sharp turns at speed with full water load D. Hose deployment
Liquid surge and weight shift make full tankers prone to rollovers during
turns.
34.How should a portable tank be positioned on the fireground?
C. Fill sleeve D. Ventilation fan
Portable pumps assist in drawing water from low-level sources like
ponds.
38.To reduce tanker shuttle bottlenecks, you should: A. Wait between loads B. Use a traffic control system at dump site C. Block the road D. Empty tanks halfway
Efficient traffic control allows safe and quick tender movement.
39.What hose is often used between a nurse tender and the engine? A. Booster line B. Large-diameter hose (LDH) C. Forestry hose D. Hard suction
LDH allows large water volumes to flow from the tender to the pumper.
40.What is a key hazard of using a portable tank near a roadway? A. Excess pressure B. Risk of vehicle collisions C. Overhydration D. Noise pollution
Proximity to traffic increases accident risk—barriers or flaggers may be
necessary.
41.What tool connects multiple dump tanks? A. Suction strainer B. Adapter C. Jet siphon D. Butterfly valve
Jet siphons help move water between portable tanks quickly.
42.Which NFPA standard covers water supply apparatus? A. 1001 B. 1500 C. 1901 D. 1033
NFPA 1901 is the standard for fire apparatus including water supply
vehicles.
43.A tender is best backed using: A. Rear-view mirrors B. A spotter with radio or hand signals C. Automatic sensors only D. Trial and error
A spotter helps prevent accidents and guides the driver safely.
C. Only when flat D. After each fire
Tire inspections ensure safety, especially with heavy loads.
48.Which of the following reduces friction loss in long shuttle supply lines? A. 1½" hose B. Smoothbore nozzle C. Using larger diameter hose D. Multiple couplings
Larger hose diameters decrease friction loss and increase flow.
49.What can assist in maintaining dump site operation during long incidents? A. Close site B. Stop dumping C. Rotate personnel and use lighting D. Reduce staffing
Proper lighting and rotation maintain efficiency and safety.
50.The success of water shuttle operations depends on: A. Engine model B. Coordination and pre-planning C. Vehicle paint color D. Operator age
Effective coordination between fill, shuttle, and dump operations is
essential for continuous water delivery.
51.What should be done immediately after setting up a portable water tank? A. Start the pump B. Secure the tank edges and stabilize the frame C. Fill it halfway D. Connect a booster line
Stabilizing the tank ensures it doesn’t collapse or shift during
operations.
52.The maximum practical speed for a fully loaded tender responding to an emergency is determined by: A. The color of the vehicle B. The vehicle’s weight, road conditions, and local laws C. The distance to the scene D. The pressure in the tank
Heavy vehicles require reduced speeds for safety, especially in curves or
poor conditions.
53.Which driving maneuver carries the highest risk for water surge-related instability? A. Reversing B. Stopping at a red light C. Taking a sharp curve at speed D. Driving straight on a highway
57.Which operator error can most commonly damage a tender’s dump valve? A. Leaving it open B. Closing it too slowly C. Operating it under pressure with obstructions D. Using water with foam additives
Debris or high-pressure dumping can damage dump valve mechanisms.
58.What is the best way to avoid collisions when backing a tender at a dump site? A. Rely on backup cameras B. Use a spotter with clear hand signals C. Honk frequently D. Leave warning lights on
Spotters are standard safety practice when backing large emergency
vehicles.
59.What does “sequential dumping” refer to in water shuttle ops? A. Releasing water slowly B. Coordinating dump times among multiple tenders C. Dumping at multiple locations D. Using multiple valves
It allows multiple units to dump water in a controlled order, avoiding
congestion.
60.If a tender is slow to refill at a hydrant, what is the most likely cause?
A. A bad pump B. Dirty water C. Restricted hydrant or small diameter supply hose D. Low oil
Limited hydrant flow or using smaller hoses reduces refill speed.
61.What role does the "dump site manager" play in a water shuttle? A. Drives the tender B. Coordinates dump site operations and tender positioning C. Operates the fire pump D. Loads hose
This person ensures the dump site is run efficiently and safely.
62.In rural areas, what is the most reliable static water source? A. Street hydrants B. Ponds, lakes, or cisterns C. Wells D. Fire extinguishers
Natural or manmade static sources are used when hydrants are
unavailable.
63.When drafting from a pond, the strainer must be positioned: A. On the bottom of the pond B. At least 24 inches below the surface and above the bottom
