I Love Backdraft

wtf

Backdraft happened to be on while I was eating dinner last night and other than realizing that it was a movie that I loved, my eyes caught this particular scene. This scene happened right after Baldwin follows Russell into the building even though they have no hose team as backup. Russell still rescues an African-American kid.

Anyhow, immediately following that is the scene you see if you clicked that link above. Can someone explain to me:

What in god’s name the kid is doing playing with paddle toy while descending the truck?
Why did he have it with him?
Why was he and all those kids ON the fire truck?
Was it a field trip of sorts?
Where is he going?
Where are his parents?
If he just got rescued from a fire, wouldn’t he be a little more shaken up?
Why is he so bad at that game? I don’t think he made solid contact once.

You may have some of your own questions. Please share.