Skip to main content

S-211, Portable Pumps and Water Use (ILT)

Course Title
Portable Pumps and Water Use (ILT)
Version Date

2012

Previous Certification Dates

2004-10
1978-09
1993-02

Course Number
S-211
Other Training Which Supports
FAL3 Basic Faller, FAL1 Advanced Faller, UASP Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot, FFT1 Firefighter Type 1, ICT5 Incident Commander Type 5, ENGB Engine Boss, Single Resource, FAL2 Intermediate Faller
Course Description

This course is designed to provide knowledge and skills to design, setup, operate, troubleshoot, and shut down portable water delivery systems. The focus is on portable pumps – it does not address water delivery for engines. Topics covered include: portable water delivery systems; equipment; roles and responsibilities; and system design and hydraulics. There is also a field exercise where students will apply what they learned in the classroom.

Course Objective

Demonstrate knowledge and skills to design, set up, operate, troubleshoot, and shut down portable water delivery systems.

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Instructors must be knowledgeable in the use and maintenance of portable water pumps. Hydraulics unit requires competency in that subject matter.
Format
Instructor Led
Special Delivery Considerations

These materials are needed above and beyond the usual items (pens, paper, flip charts, markers, etc.).

Examples of hoses (suction and discharge), appliances, hose accessories and tools, nozzles, and sprinklers.
High Pressure Pump Kit, NFES 000870.
NWCG Standards for Transporting Fuel, PMS 442
Field Day Exercise
PPE, including eye and ear protection
IRPG
Portable Pump Kits and additional equipment for setting up pumps (shovel, fuel, etc.) (1 per small group or as needed)
Hoses, appliances, hose accessories and tools, for setting up portable water delivery system (1 set per small group or as needed)
Optional: Sprinkler kit and other types of portable pumps (1 per small group or as needed)
Optional: Pump pressure gauges A-5

Business Steward
OMC Operations Management Committee
Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Instructors must be knowledgeable in the use and maintenance of portable water pumps. Hydraulics unit requires competency in that subject matter.
Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Class Size Recommendations

Recommended class size is 20-30 students. Instructors should maintain a 10:1 ratio of students to instructors/coaches to facilitate exercises and discussion and to enable strong mentorship to the students.

Class Size Recommendations

Recommended class size is 20-30 students. Instructors should maintain a 10:1 ratio of students to instructors/coaches to facilitate exercises and discussion and to enable strong mentorship to the students.

NWCG Latest Announcements

2026 Week of Remembrance

Date:  June 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2026 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on past incidents from 2016 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2026 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

RMC Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNetX Launch

Date:  June 25, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) is pleased to announce the launch of SafeNetX, the modernized safety reporting system now available to the wildland fire community. Effective June 15, 2026, SafeNetX enables reporting of unsafe, unhealthy, near-miss, and high-risk operations across wildland fire, all-hazard incidents, training, and related work environments.

SafeNetX is the result of a multi-agency modernization effort led by RMC, which began evaluating improvements to the legacy SAFENET system in 2021. To learn more, read the full RMC memorandum in the links provided.

References:

SafeNetX

RMC Safety Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNet X Launch

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee