Back Step Riding

Darrell · May 6, 2024

Anyone know when did Backstep riding officially end? I know Companies we're doing it until the mid 80's but I'm assuming it ended somewhere between around the late 60's to late 70's.

Lebby · May 6, 2024

Darrell said:
Anyone know when did Backstep riding officially end? I know Companies we're doing it until the mid 80's but I'm assuming it ended somewhere between around the late 60's to late 70's.

Depends where you're talking about, some people still do it while laying in.

Darrell · May 6, 2024

Lebby said:
Depends where you're talking about, some people still do it while laying in.

I'm talking about NYC if that's what you mean.

8060rock · May 6, 2024

FDNY, early '80s

XPFD3 · May 6, 2024

Remember to keep your knees bent.

fdce54 · May 6, 2024

JohnnyGage needs to weigh in on this........

ta176 · May 6, 2024

The problem was the rigs didn't have seating positions inside. Then the bombardment of bricks and bottles aimed at the Firefighters riding the back step had the shops busy making back step covers to protect the men. Some will remember L174 refused to respond to Brownsville because
the Tiller man wasn't protected. The war years wasn't only a fire battle, but a war also with the residents we were trying to help and protect.

jtsjc1 · May 6, 2024

Wasn't there an incident in the '80s? where a FF fell off the back step on a turn and was killed? I'm not sure if it was the FDNY.

nfd2004 · May 6, 2024

A look back to those FDNY days of riding the back step

www.facebook.com/gettinsaltyapparel/photos/a.1944302955803139/2918684195031672/?type=3

nap72 · May 6, 2024

jtsjc1 said:
Wasn't there an incident in the '80s? where a FF fell off the back step on a turn and was killed? I'm not sure if it was the FDNY.

Mike Carr E-85 - 1969, going to a false alarm/pull box.

I was told years ago he fell off the backstep and was run over by E-82.

ta176 · May 6, 2024

When I was in 233-2 we were responding to a Bushwick box and a right turn off Bushwick Ave. had one of our guys fall off the backstep. Fortunately he wasn't injured seriously, but was transported to Wyckoff Hospital. There was no communication with the backstep and the cab and the rig went a half block before they stopped. After that incident we installed a bell in the cab and a button on the back step, 1 bell to stop and 2 to go. Eventually I put a speaker on the back step to keep us informed of what we were going into.