Staff the fire pump or fire control room

[truckmonkey42]

The other day we got into a discussion of how it sucks to have to staff the fire control room at a high rise fire. VERY important job, but not as fun as climbing 28 flights of stairs and such. We got to thinking about it and were curious if anyone had some more ideas of what you do while staffing it. Obviously check and make sure the pump is running or not and some others small things, but who else has either some good tips or even an SOP on it?

[ADSNWFLD]

Are you reliying on the fire pump for your firefighting water?
By me we pump the system to supply the lines off of the standpipe, 15 stories is about the highest we deal with (and that is mutual aid). After control we send a guy to shut down the sprinkler system and he stays there in case it needs to be turned back on quickly.

Now, I'm curious about guys procedures in the real tall buildings (30, 40 stories and <)

[Dave1983]

Since water supply is a priority at any fire, the pump is the first choice. The control room comes later.

[ADSNWFLD]

Agian, I have to ask.
Do you depend on the fire pump to supply your hose streams?

[truckmonkey42]

Many fire protection systems have connections for Sprinklers and another connection for standpipes. So we usually pump to the FDC for standpipe ops first and then to the auto sprinkler.
So lets just start off by asking, what are some ways to tell a pump is running and also if not running, what can we do to make it run?
Also lets assume that the alarm panel is a whole different topic for now.
IS that any clearer? Just looking for some other opinions.

[Dave1983]

Agian, I have to ask.
Do you depend on the fire pump to supply your hose streams?

If the building has one, yes. Our SOG is first due engine goes to the fire floor, second is water supply (an SOG I dont agree with, btw). So untill the water supply is established, we have no choice but to use the buildings pump. After that, we still use it as long as its sufficient. If not, the engine on the system simply pumps through it.