February 2022

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 319 emergency incidents during the month of February 2022 including 31 box alarms and 288 still alarms. The department responded to four requests for mutual aid during February, three times to Stoneham and once to Melrose. The department received mutual aid four times during the month of February, all four times from Lynnfield. A crew from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant Michael Long covered a vacant Stoneham fire station while that department answered multiple calls in that community during the morning of February 7. Lieutenant Sean Curran led another crew from Engine 2 that covered Stoneham Fire Headquarters during a fire in that community on February 12. A third crew from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant Sean Curran covered Stoneham Fire Headquarters during multiple calls in that town during the afternoon of February 20.

Wakefield Firefighter William A. Carr retired from the Wakefield Fire Department on February 8, 2022 after serving the department for more than 28 years. Carr, a well-respected and knowledgeable firefighter, was a certified Emergency Medical Technician. He was the senior firefighter in the department, assigned to Group 2, under Captain Brian Purcell, at the time of his retirement. Carr received a commendation, along with the other members of his group, for his actions in extricating two badly injured drivers during a serious car accident on Route 128 on the evening of February 9, 2001. The accident involved a head-on collision between a wrong-way driver and another vehicle in the high-speed lane. Both drivers had to be extricated from their vehicles using the “Jaws of Life” hydraulic rescue tool. The rescue took 45 minutes with both drivers successfully removed from their vehicles, stabilized at the scene and transported to area hospitals. Retired Wakefield Fire Chief David Parr credited the victims successful rescue to the department members technical skills and professional demeanor exhibited during the rescue operation. The department wishes Firefighter Carr a long and healthy retirement with his wife June and their family.

The department responded to approximately 40 calls in February where patients with Covid-19 were either confirmed or suspected to be present. Covid-19 involved responses have declined significantly, indicating that the most recent surge may be subsiding. The department is ready with skilled Emergency Medical Technicians, equipped with personal protective equipment, to assist anyone in need of medical attention. Members of the public afflicted by non-Covid-19 emergencies should not hesitate to call for emergency medical services as local hospitals are prepared to keep them safe from contracting the virus.

All department members participated in CPR recertification training classes during February, provided free to the department by Cataldo Ambulance. Several groups continued to practice ice and water rescue procedures in February. The department purchased a new ice rescue sled in January to replace a 20-year old unit that was worn out. All groups reviewed procedures involved in working with Medflight helicopters during medical emergencies as well as incidents involving exposure to high-voltage electrical equipment.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report