The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 203 emergency incidents during the month of August 2007 including 41 Box Alarms and 162 Still Alarms. The fire department responded to 2 mutual aid requests during August, including Melrose (1), and North Reading (1). The department received mutual aid once during August, that being from Stoneham.
There were several notable emergency incidents during August, including a strong wind squall that hit the town on the evening of August 8th felling trees, branches and power lines; a dumpster fire set by a youth at an Albion Street business on August 26th that was spreading to the adjacent structure before being extinguished by firefighters; and the rescue of an elderly resident of a local nursing home who fell down a dumbwaiter shaft on August 4th. At this incident, under the direction of Lieut. Steven Kessel, Firefighter Brian Purcell lowered Firefighter Thomas Curran down the shaft where he secured the victim, and then joined by Firefighters Gary Hill and Chris Crogan lifted her to safety after suffering only minor injuries. An excellent job well done by all involved!
The Wakefield Fire Department, along with the Police, Department of Public Works, Municipal Gas & Light Department, and Action Ambulance Service participated in the annual Common Ground – Public Safety / Public Service Day on the Common on Saturday, August 18. This is a terrific event sponsored by the Wakefield-Lynnfield Lodge of Elks that allows local residents to see their public safety / public service departments in action. This year, firefighters had the METROFIRE Fire Safety House for the children; the METROFIRE Regional Haz Mat Response Team on display, and provided a demonstration of firefighting equipment including the “Jaws of Life” Rescue Tool.
Training / Fire Prevention activities completed during August included:
- High Rise / Standpipe Drill
- Pumping / Drafting Drill at Crystal Lake
- Fire drills conducted at the Beebe Library and Edgewater Office Park
- Quarterly inspections of schools, nursing homes and hotels / lodging houses
