December 2013

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 294 emergency incidents during the month of December including 40 box alarms and 254 still alarms.

The Department responded to four requests for mutual aid during December, twice to Stoneham, once to Melrose and once to Saugus. It received mutual aid five times in December, twice from Stoneham and once each from Reading, Lynnfield and Melrose.

Crews led by Captain Joseph Riley responded to a fire inside a nail salon at 405 Lowell Street during the early evening of December 10. The fire was started by a candle left too close to an upholstered chair. Fortunately the fire was contained to the chair although it did generate a significant smoke condition inside the store.

Firefighters under the command of Captain Randy Hudson assisted the homeowner at 11 Crystal Street with a chimney fire during the afternoon of December 29. The fire was confined to the chimney flue area. And the residents were able to remain in the home.

Crews under the command of Captain Paul Pronco responded to Farmland at 415 Main Street during the early morning of December 22 to rescue an employee who had his arm trapped in a piece of machinery in the kitchen area. Fire crews were able to free the man in approximately 5 minutes using cutters from the ”Jaws of Life” extrication equipment carried on the apparatus. The man was treated and transported to a Boston hospital by Action Ambulance paramedics. The employee’s arm was able to be saved though the efforts and close teamwork of Wakefield firefighters, Action Ambulance paramedics and hospital staff.

The department received 50 firefighter self-rescue “bail out” rope kits as part of the 2012 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program funded by the Department of Homeland Security. This grant program funds approximately 90% of the cost of these kits with the remaining 10% being funded through the department’s capital outlay budget for Fiscal Year 2014. Department members will receive training in the proper use of these kits prior to their distribution.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report