April 2024

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 358 emergency incidents during the month of April 2024 including 33 box alarms and 325 still alarms. The department responded to two
requests for mutual aid during April, once each to Melrose and North Reading. The department received mutual aid twice during April, once each from Lynnfield and Stoneham. Firefighters from Engine 1 led by Lieutenant Cliff Silva covered North Reading Fire Headquarters while firefighters in that community were tied up at a structure fire on Haverhill Street during the afternoon of April 16.

Wakefield Firefighter Gerald Sancinito was appointed as a Permanent Fire Lieutenant on April 12 during a brief ceremony presided over by Wakefield Town Clerk Betsy Sheeran.
Lieutenant Sancinito is a fourteen-year member of the department and a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Sancinito grew up in Wakefield and is a graduate of the Wakefield Memorial High School Class of 2000. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection and Safety Technology from Bunker Hill Community College as well as a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from the University of Massachusetts – Lowell. He is a certified Emergency Medical Technician and is a veteran, serving with the United States Navy. Lieutenant Sancinito will fill the vacancy created by the recent retirement of Lieutenant Philip Preston. He has been assigned to Group 1 under Captain Randy Hudson.

All department members participated in Emergency Medical Technician training classes as part of their annual continuing education requirements. The department continued its ongoing in-service safety inspections and pre-planning of various businesses in town during April. The department’s inventory of semi-automatic defibrillators was inspected and serviced during April. All duty groups toured the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department Facility on North Avenue, paying close attention to its fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles. Fire drills were conducted during April at the Dolbeare, Doyle, Greenwood, High School, Odyssey and St. Joseph’s Schools. All groups continue to conduct familiarization tours of 89 to 95 Hopkins Street as the complex nears completion and occupation.

The on-duty shift police and fire shift working on April 11 was treated to a catered dinner at the Golden Rule Masonic Lodge at 370 Salem Street in celebration of first responder recognition night. Retired Wakefield Fire Chief David Parr made a brief but fascinating presentation of historic fires in Wakefield and how they have shaped the landscape of present-day Wakefield. The Masons ended the evening by presenting a beautiful plaque to the Wakefield Fire and Police Departments recognizing their long tradition of service to the community.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report