Captain John P. Ceriello

Special Operations Command

Program Titles

Wind, & tactics research.

Captain John P. Ceriello, has been at the forefront in the FDNY’s Wind Impacted Fires Project that introduced stairwell pressurization, wind control devices and high-rise nozzles into the field.

Captain Ceriello was part of the implementation of new concepts of ventilation and flow path control to the FDNY.

John is on advisory panels for a number of projects including their most recent research on horizontal and vertical ventilation.

What was the oddest call to which you responded?

The oddest involves the removal of obese individuals. Because I am in Special Operations, I have been in this situation at least ten times where I am called in to help move a 400, 500, or 600lb person. It is extremely dangerous work.

We have to take enormous care not to injure the person. We have a cargo net for this purpose and rope systems. We put the individual in the net and may have to cut open doorways and remove banisters to lower the person downstairs. Sometimes we need to go to the roof and create a rope system to lower the person.

What is the most serious event you’ve been part of?

Bar none, 911. I was with Squad 18 in Lower Manhattan at the time and my entire unit was lost. I was off duty at the time so they responded before me. When I got to the firehouse both towers were still standing and I was assigned to work with other two companies.

The Blackout was another grueling event for the FDNY.

I worked 24-hours straight because numerous people were trapped in elevators and subway tunnels. In addition it was so hot and without electricity air conditions weren’t working so people were more apt to have heat issues and panic leading to medical emergencies. Candle usage was also up that day and candles can cause fires.

I just worked a 24 hour tour with two major fires–one was a duct fire and the other was a fire in a rooming house caused by someone smoking in bed.