April 2020

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 253 emergency incidents during the month of April including 18 box alarms and 235 still alarms. The department responded to five requests for mutual aid during April, three times to Melrose and once each to Reading and Saugus. The department did not receive any mutual aid during the month of April. Lieutenant Michael Long along with a crew from Engine 2 assisted the Saugus Fire Department at the scene of a building fire at 10 Laurel Street during the early morning of April 5. Another crew from Engine 2 under Lieutenant Long covered Melrose Fire Headquarters during an extensive brush fire in that city during the afternoon of April 12. A crew from Engine 1 under the command of Lieutenant Phil Preston assisted the Reading Fire Department at the scene of a 3-alarm fire in a golf club at 292 Grove Street during the early morning of April 17. A crew from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant Sean Curran assisted the Melrose Fire Department at a 2-alarm fire at 62 Willow Street during the early afternoon of April 21.

The Wakefield Fire Department continues to respond to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic affecting the country. Its responses to virus related calls comprise a significant percentage of its emergency medical responses. The department responded to 87 calls where Covid-19 was either present or suspected in a twelve day period alone between April 15 and 27. Department personnel equipped with medical masks, gown, shields and gloves respond to all requests for medical aid in an attempt to protect both themselves, their families and members of the public. Firefighters look different but remain just as committed to work with our partners in Cataldo Ambulance to provide the emergency medical care that potential Covid-19 patients require.

The Department has experienced a decline in the number of medical calls that it responds to and would caution members of the public not to hesitate to call for assistance for any type of medical emergency, not just those related to Covid-19. Citizens with symptoms of heart attack or stroke, severe hemorrhaging, allergic reactions and other life-threatening conditions still require prompt treatment and transport to the hospital; it is imperative that these citizens still call 911 for help. Hospitals and emergency rooms have taken extensive precautions to minimize the risk to patients not affected by Covid-19.

Firefighters under the command of Captain Brian Purcell responded to a serious accident involving several workers operating at 17 Richardson Avenue that occurred around noon on April 15. The workers, operating from scaffolding that they had erected on the side of the building, suffered significant injuries after the structure suddenly gave way and collapsed, dropping them fifteen feet to the ground. The workers were treated at the scene by first responders and transported to area hospitals by Cataldo Ambulance personnel. The Building Inspector and personnel from the regional office for OSHA were both notified to perform a follow-up investigation into the cause of this work-related accident.

All schedule emergency medical training as well as several classes on electrical safety and pump operator training were cancelled due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. Several department members assisted the town distribute medical masks to the elderly during a mask giveaway in the parking lot of the Galvin Middle School on April 20.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report