Michael N. Ciampo first joined the fire service in 1979 as a fourth-generation volunteer firefighter. In 1985, his professional career started with the District of Columbia Fire Department (DCFD) and in 1990, he was hired by the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). He attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice and earned a BA degree in Fire Science. He is a nationally recognized instructor, teaching truck company operations and tower ladder classes to departments around the country. He writes the back page column ‘On Fire’ for Fire Engineering magazine and is featured in their Truck Company Training Minutes videos. He authored the book "Tower Ladders: Tactics, Tips, and Tales.

Early in our firefighting orientation, we’re taught basic skills and tactics from textbooks. In addition, we’ll drill and be tested on many of these skills at fire academy buildings to attain our firefighting certifications. It’s a good process, but our…