Riding the backstep - video at a working fire

[JohnnyOV 2]

Unfortunately, the video involved lists the county where this took place and the engine number is clearly visible in the video. At 0:45 seconds an engine is arriving, as what appears to be either the 2nd or 3rd due engine, and a firefighter is clearly seen, riding, at a high rate of speed on the back step of the engine. There are reasons this practice has been forbidden, and it amazes me that this is still happening in areas around the county.

Think with your head. They are lucky he wasn't another casualty at this fire (5 firefighters sustained minor injuries at this job).

[IzzyEng4 427]

What the firefighter there was doing was a very old practice not only just riding the back step. "Back in the day" when a unit was laying in and riding on the back step was permissible, a firefighter would ride the step when laying in to the scene, as it is shown here (notice the feeder coming off). But how many times in the past have we seen or heard of a person that has gotten hit with a butt flying off the rig???? Not safe at all.