The Wakefield Fire Department is dedicated to the protection and preservation of life and property. We consider it a privilege to serve the residents and guests of the Town of Wakefield, Massachusetts. We proudly serve 25,000 people living in an area of 7.89 square miles some 11 miles north of Boston. We operate out of two stations that protect a primarily residential area. Our Department is a public department whose members are on a paid status. We operate a Class B fire alarm system with 397 street and master boxes. Dispatching is handled by firefighters on shift. Our primary radio call letters are WIM-767 operating on a frequency of 483.4375 MHz. Our radio identification is conducted daily at 0830 Hrs.
The community is serviced by Cataldo Ambulance with the Fire Department responding to all calls for medical aid. Bordered by Melrose, Stoneham, Reading, Saugus and Lynnfield, our Fire department is part of both the Metro Boston and Essex County mutual aid systems.
Our Firefighters
The 55-member civil service Department operates with four groups of thirteen members with an eleven firefighter minimum on duty at all times. Each group consists of one Shift Commander (Captain), three Lieutenants, and nine firefighters, one of which serves as the Fire Department dispatcher.
In addition to the civil service entrance examination and selection procedure, all Wakefield firefighters must successfully complete the 10-week Massachusetts Fire Academy Recruit Training Program as a condition of employment. All successful academy graduates are certified to NFPA 1001 Firefighter I & II. All members are trained to the First Responder level, with a large majority being MA certified EMTs.The Department has five certified Paramedics.
Leading the Department
The Wakefield Fire Department is led by Chief of Department Michael J. Sullivan (C1 – Car1) and Deputy Chief Thomas M. Purcell (C2 – Car2), supported in the Fire Department Administrative offices by one Fire Prevention / Code Enforcement Captain and one Administrative Assistant.
Mission
The mission of the Wakefield Fire Department is to improve the quality of life within the town, by providing a high quality emergency fire and rescue service, an excellent fire prevention program, including public education and fire investigation, and a fire fighting and rescue force capable of handling all types of emergencies. The Department will accomplish this mission while maintaining a high standard of training and education, maintain fire department facilities and apparatus, and interact professionally with other town departments.
Everbridge e-Alerts
The Everbridge e-Alert System is used by Wakefield’s Public Safety leaders and the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department (WMGLD) to inform the community about snow-related parking bans, emergency utility interruptions, boil-water notices, and other critical alerts. You only need to create one account to receive emergency messages from both the Town of Wakefield and WMGLD. Read the details and sign up.
