With the "oldest" discussion going, I was wondering if anyone still rides tailboard. I thought the NFPA standard was grandfathered in.

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We also only ride the back step during the 4th of July parade, and I think those days are numbered! It's just too unsafe. Stay safe!
I forgot to add this. There is/was a fraternal organization around here that would provide a retired apparatus for retired FF as a hearse. I actually saw this done a few years ago. Two guys in dress blues riding tailboard on the freeway with a casket on top. A fitting honor though if you ask me.
I haven't rode the tailboard to a call since 1991. I have done it during a Santa Run though a few years past, and that was at a very reduced speed. I think a guy on a little rascal passed us like we were standing still. ;oP
We do during parades but we have safety belts that we use .
We do during parade also but our pumper is a 1976. The front cab is enclosed where the driver and officer are but we have a completely open bench seat right behind the cab for the FF's with no seat belts or anything to hold you in except some hand rails. We use it as our second due for structures our quint rolls first out to everything except for some spots in town that are just to small to get in with it.
Use to up where I live,but they don't even want us on the back of them even for parades.. I think it has become a insurance problem
We use to, mostly when we went to parades. We would ride on the side and tailboard to line-up. That was stopped and we don't even allow members from other departments to do it. It is so dangerous. We do for loading the 5" hose but even then it is not often for that, because of all the things that could go wrong. Good discussion though....
We do not ride the tailboard. Hose loading is the only exception, and only with a spotter. We have not ridden the tailboard in at least 30 years, maybe longer. In fact, all of the line apparatus we've purchased since 1989 do not have a tailboard you could ride. The vestigial remnants of the tailboard are only suitable for the aforementioned hose loading.
Absolulty not, if there is no availible you don't ride, like others have said only to load hose, plain ansd simple.
The only time (other than parades) is when we are in a subdivision doing hydrant maintenance. For less than 100 yards and never above 5-10 mph. To a call, the "no seat-no go" rule applies. But it is really amazing how many of the guys don't wear a seatbelt. When I am onboard, I don't let them move until I get my seatbelt fastened. But as you can see in my pics, our primary engine is so old that the rear cab is not enclosed. So IMHO, you'd be a fool not to belt yourself in!!
The only time anyone is allowed on the tailboard is for a funeral procession. Any other time the vehicle must be stopped and park brake engaged for anyone to be on it. I remember when I started we still had safety straps and rode tailboard when we needed the manpower. Now even the two open cabs we own have to have safety bars and 4 point seatbelts in place for anyone to ride the back seats. Riding tailboard is no longer. Hate to admit it, but it was fun. i miss it. But safety concerns being what they are now, its totally understandable!
the only time we are allowed to ride on the tail board is during crusaid for children any time after that its forbidden

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