August 2016

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 321 emergency incidents during the month of August including 28 box alarms and 293 still alarms.

The department responded to three requests for mutual aid during August, twice to Saugus and once to Lynnfield. It received mutual aid five times during the month of August, twice from both Stoneham and Lynnfield and once from Melrose. Acting Lieutenant Dan Sullivan and a crew from Engine 2 covered the Saugus fire headquarters during an incident in that community during the morning of August 7. Lieutenant Sean Curran and a crew from Engine 1 covered the Lynnfield South fire station during an extensive brush fire in that community during the afternoon of August 30.

Wakefield firefighters under the command of Captain Thomas Purcell responded to a reported fire alarm activation at 247 North Avenue during the evening of August 1. Firefighters arrived to find the restaurant full of smoke and with a considerable heat condition in the kitchen. A fire apparently started when a component of the kitchen stove malfunctioned and ignited some materials on top of it. The fire had self-extinguished prior to the arrival of the department and did not extend beyond the stove. The restaurant and adjoining business were vented of smoke.

The month of August was marked by several serious accidents and emergency medical calls requiring a response by the department.

A well-known local man was seriously injured when the vehicle he was driving was struck by a commuter rail train at the Broadway crossing just before noon on August 11. Responding firefighters under the command of Captain Thomas Purcell found a Ford F150 pick-up truck pushed several hundred feet down the track and hung up on the front car of the train. The lone occupant of the vehicle was quickly extricated using the Jaws of Life. He was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital by Med Flight helicopter due to the serious nature of his injuries. The quick work of responding firefighters and paramedics from Action Ambulance and Med Flight saved this man’s life.

Lieutenant Sean Curran and a crew from Engine 1 assisted an injured motorcyclist at the scene of a serious car accident during the evening of August 24. The male operator suffered serious injuries when he collided with a motor vehicle at 383 Water Street. Off-duty Fire Captain Christopher Smith and Chelsea Deputy Fire Chief Paul Giancola both stopped to render assistance to the injured operator. Their actions kept the patient calm and prevented further injury and they were officially commended by the department for their actions.

Captain Christopher Smith led firefighters from Engine 1 and Ladder 1 at the scene of another serious car accident at the Route 95 North off ramps to Salem Street during the afternoon of August 27. Firefighters arrived to find a passenger car pinned underneath a tractor trailer’s rear wheels. One of the occupants was trapped in the vehicle and was quickly removed by firefighters once the trailer was stabilized with rescue jacks. The trapped occupant was not injured and refused medical treatment.

Firefighters under the command of Captain Paul Pronco assisted Action Ambulance and Med Flight personnel treat an adult male who had been stabbed with a broken golf club during the evening of August 30. The male was impaled by the club, requiring extensive care prior to his transport by helicopter to Beth Israel Hospital.

The month of August continued this summer’s weather pattern of hot dry weather that the region has experienced, drying out ground vegetation and increasing the overall risk of outside fires. The department responded to numerous small brush and mulch fires as a result of these drought conditions. Residents are cautioned to dispose of smoking materials properly to cut down the risk of mulch and brush fires.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report