Departments that want a small, lightweight, portable pump can choose several models ranging from 60 pounds down to as little as 14 pounds. Some of these mighty mites can deliver high flowrates to refill engine tanks from remote water sources, while others can deliver high pressures to attack fires through long hoselays. A few can do both.

There are many reasons why a department might want a pump like this. First, it's small size means it can fit in an apparatus compartment without displacing a lot of other equipment. And because it is light, it can be removed easily and carried to a water source. Firefighters who have had the experience of wrestling a big pump off a rig will tell you that small is definitely good.

Another advantage is that a small pump can usually be set up for operation in less time and with fewer personnel. In some cases, a small pump also lets firefighters draft from ponds and other water sources with limited capacities that might be unusable for a large pump. Finally, a very small pump can be easily packed into remote areas by wildland ground crews, rather than having them rely solely on hand tools to attack the fire.

There are two general categories of small portable pumps based on their engine horsepower and overall weight. One category can be called mini pumps, which are driven by 6- to 10hp engines and range in weight from 31 to 60 pounds. The other can be called micro pumps, which have 1.5- to 2.5hp engines and range in weight from 14 to 30 pounds.

THE MINIS

Mini pumps are among the most versatile of all the mighty mites. They can be used for apparatus tank refills, hose relays, direct attack and mop-up operations. The mini pumps make an easy load for two people, but they are still light enough to be carried short distances by one.

One of the highest-flowrate pumps in this weight range is the Darley 2BE 6.5H, which tips the scales at 49 pounds. With a 6.5hp engine, it is designed to move 275gpm at 12psi or 100gpm at 45psi. The U.S. Coast Guard uses a similar model to pump out sinking ships, so you know it can move a lot of water!

Two other high-flowrate pumps in this weight range are the standard pressure versions of the Hale Fyr-Flote and the Waterous Floto-Pump. The advantage of these lightweight floating pumps is that they can go into operation as soon as they are placed in the water, without connecting a hard suction hose or priming the pump. They are especially useful in areas where there are numerous swimming pools, lakes or other open water sources. Both pumps have big 8hp engines, produce 140- to 145gpm at 20- to 30psi and weigh 40 to 50 pounds. High-pressure versions also are available.

For direct attack, the high-pressure Wildfire Mark 3 pump is one of the top performers in the wildland firefighting business. The four-stage impeller produces flows and pressures ranging from 80gpm at 100psi to 10gpm at 325psi for use with long hoselays up steep hillsides. The pump has a 10hp engine and weighs 59 pounds.

The Wick 250 is another good pump for a variety of operations. This lightweight wonder weighs only 31 pounds, but it has a versatile performance range of 80gpm at 20psi to 10gpm at 220psi from its three-stage impeller and 8hp engine.

AND THE MICROS

In the lightest category, departments can chose from several pumps that are so small you can hold one in the palm of your hand. Wildland crews primarily use these mighty micros in remote areas for attack or mop-up, but they are also suitable for any application where very light and very small pumps are needed.

For example, these pumps can draft from natural water sources, stock tanks, small ponds or fabric water reservoirs to produce flowrates and pressures that are suitable for direct attack operations with short hoselines. They also can produce sufficient volumes such that they can be used to refill the tanks on patrol pumpers and light brush trucks with single-person crews.

Among the micro pumps, the Wick 100-4H has a 2.5hp four-cycle engine and weighs a mere 20 pounds. It produces 60gpm at 20psi or 10gpm at 85psi. The Wickman 100 is a slightly smaller 2.3hp two-cycle version that weighs 17 pounds and has a similar performance.

The lightest of all the micro pumps is the Wildfire Moskito with a 1.5hp four-cycle engine and a weight of only 14 pounds. Despite its extremely small size, it still produces 40 gpm at 20psi or 10gpm at 65psi.