Uniformed Fire Officers Association Medal

Lieutenant Joseph R. Cilento , Ladder Company 168

February 8, 2004, 0410 hours, Box 75-4296, 1615 76th Street, Brooklyn

Appointed to the FDNY on October 21, 1990. Previously assigned to Ladder 149. Member of the Columbia Association. Attended the College of Staten Island. Recipient of two Class III ratings, one for this incident. Resides on Staten Island with his wife, Gloria, and their sons, Joseph and James.

Due to their large size, elaborate construction features and unique internal features, the Queen Anne-type private dwelling presents a far more complex fire problem than the average private dwelling. Fires in Queen Annes are notorious manpower sponges, immediately absorbing every available hand due to the genuine possibility of portable ladder rescues and the number of areas that may have to be entered and searched. On February 8, 2004, at 0410 hours, the members of Ladder 168 and--in particular--Lieutenant Joseph R. Cilento, were reminded just how complex a fire problem this type dwelling poses to the Fire Department.

Firefighters, under the supervision of Lieutenant Cilento, were dispatched for a phone alarm reporting a fire at 1615 76th Street, Brooklyn, the residence of Mrs. Rose Digiovanni, a long-time prominent member of the Bath Beach community. Fortunately for Mrs. Digiovanni, this section of Brooklyn is safeguarded by the members of Ladder 168 and Engine 243.

Arriving at the location, Lieutenant Cilento noticed heavy smoke pushing from several windows of the second floor of Mrs. Digiovanni’s wood-frame Queen Anne-type private dwelling. He immediately ordered his chauffeur, FF Joseph Larstanna of Ladder 168, to ladder the front of the building. He also instructed FFs Brian McBride and John Kroon, the outside team of Ladder 168, to ascend the fire escape located on the exposure #4 side of the dwelling.

Purposely heading toward their assigned positions on the fire floor, the inside team, consisting of Lieutenant Cilento and FFs Albert Somma and John Hourican, were alerted to a report of a person trapped. At the second floor, the inside team was met by heavy, black smoke and high heat as fire had possession of one of the front bedrooms. Significantly, this fire was extending into the main hallway landing toward their tentative position.

Fearing for the safety of his members, Lieutenant Cilento commanded FFs Somma and Hourican to hold their positions at the half-landing and await the arrival of a charged hose-line. Ultimately shelter-less and without a charged line in place, Lieutenant Cilento began his search toward the rear of the fire apartment. Searching off the left wall in the untenable hallway, he reached the bathroom, which he entered and searched with negative results.

Consequently, returning to the untenable hallway, the Lieutenant proceeded deeper into the fire apartment and arrived at the kitchen door, entering to begin his search. Probing toward the center of the room, he discovered Mrs. Digiovanni, unconscious and in a supine position. Without assistance, Lieutenant Cilento dragged Mrs. Digiovanni 15 feet back down a precarious hallway, shielding her body with his own from the intense heat, to the second-floor stairway landing. Rescuer and victim were met by the advancing engine company making their assault on the fire. Assisted by his inside team, Lieutenant Cilento carried the victim over the advancing engine company and down the stairs to the street, transferring her care into the hands of awaiting emergency medical personnel.

Due to Lieutenant Joseph Cilento’s selfless act of bravery, 87-year-old Rose Digiovanni has recovered from her severe life-threatening injuries and is alive today. He is recognized and presented with the Uniformed Fire Officers Association Medal.—PWB