December 2022

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 432 emergency incidents during the month of December 2022 including 30 box alarms and 402 still alarms. This is the most incidents that the department has ever responded to in a single month, ending the busiest year in the department’s history with 4,387 emergency calls in the calendar year 2022. The department responded to eight requests for mutual aid during December, twice each to Lynnfield and Reading and once each to Malden, Melrose, Saugus and Stoneham. The department received mutual aid five times during the month of December, three times from Lynnfield and once each from Melrose and Stoneham.

A crew from Engine 1 led by Lieutenant Erik Cole covered Reading Fire Headquarters while that department was tied up at an incident during the afternoon of December 2. Lieutenant Joseph Albert and a crew from Engine 2 assisted the Melrose Fire Department at the scene of a structure fire at 57 Brunswick Park during the early morning of December 11. A crew from Ladder 1 led by Lieutenant Arthur Fennelly assisted the Lynnfield Fire Department during a reported gas leak at the Market Street complex during the afternoon of December 17. A crew from Engine 2 under Lieutenant Joseph Albert assisted the Saugus Fire Department at the scene of a structure fire at 200 Walnut Street during the afternoon of December 18. A crew from Engine 1 led by Lieutenant Cliff Silva covered Reading Fire Headquarters while that department was tied up on multiple calls during the afternoon of December 21. Firefighters from Engine 1 under the command of Lieutenant Phil Preston assisted the Lynnfield Fire Department at the scene of a 2-alarm fire at 190 Summer Street during the early morning of December 25. Lieutenant Joseph Albert and a crew from Engine 2 covered a vacant Malden fire station during a 3-alrm fire in that city on the morning of December 26. A crew from Engine 2 under Lieutenant Michael Long covered Stoneham Fire Headquarters during the afternoon of December 30 while that department was tied up responding to multiple calls.

Firefighters under the command of Captain John Walsh responded to a reported chimney fire at 2 Norway Street during the afternoon of December 24. Arriving firefighters found an active chimney fire in progress ignited by a wood stove being used by the occupants. The wood stove was shut down and emptied while chimney chains were deployed from the top of the chimney to knock down the large accumulation of burning creosote inside the chimney. The fire was contained to the chimney and did not extend into the house. An investigation determined the cause of the fire to be a failure to have the chimney properly cleaned. There were no injuries as a result of the fire and no residents were displaced. A Stoneham fire engine covered Wakefield Fire Headquarters during this incident.

Fire crews under the direction of Captain Brian Purcell responded to a major water emergency at 175 North Avenue during the morning of December 27. Crews arrived to find that a large water pipe in the basement had burst flooding the basement with approximately 42 inches of water. The Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department (WMGLD) was requested to respond and shut-down power to the building from the street. The water department was requested to respond and shut off the water supply to the building from the street. Once utilities were shut down firefighters entered the basement in cold water survival suits and manually shut down controls to roof-top heating units, electrical services and the elevator. The building’s management company arrived on scene and was informed that all residents of the building had to be leave as the building had no water, electricity or fire protection service. Department members, along with Cataldo Ambulance personnel, assisted those residents who needed help evacuating the building to the ground floor. Building management contacted their plumbing and electrical contractors as well as their elevator service company and Service Master to pump out the water and begin repairs. All residents of this condominium complex were displaced until December 31, when electrical, water and fire protection utilities were restored. The department responded back to this building on December 31 to assist building occupants with getting to their units as the building’s elevator
service was still down for repairs while awaiting parts. Wakefield Firefighters worked closely with the WMGLD, Department of Public Works and Wakefield Police Officers to ensure the safety of all building occupants. There were no injuries to any residents during this emergency.

All groups attended medical classes as part of their Emergency Medical Technician training during the month of December. The crew from Ladder 1 escorted Santa Claus to the lower common at noon on December 10 as he opened up his workshop to begin having visiting hours for the children.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report