February 2023

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 358 emergency incidents during the month of February 2023, including 45 Box alarms and 313 still alarms. The Department responded to four requests for mutual aid during February to the towns of Lynnfield, Saugus and twice to the Town of Stoneham. The Department received mutual aid six times during the month from the communities of Lynnfield, Reading, and Stoneham.

On February 4th, 2023 Wakefield Engine 1 responded mutual aid to the Town of Lynnfield for a line box at 55 Salem Street the Sunrise Assisted Senior Center. At approximately 9:12 p.m. on the evening of February 18th Wakefield Engine 2 with a crew of Lieutenant Art Fennelly, Tim Donovan, and Mike Rowe responded mutual aid to a reported structure fire in the Town of Saugus at 16 Denver Street. The fire went to a 2nd alarm spreading to multiple floors with the Wakefield E2 company working alongside Saugus crews for over 2-hours extinguishing fire and assisting with extensive overhaul. In a rare event a second fire occurred within the Town of Saugus simultaneously. The second fire, located at 590 Lincoln Avenue approximately 1.6 miles away from the first fire on Denver Street, eventually reached three alarms before being declared under control. Surrounding mutual aid communities including Melrose, Malden, Lynn, Medford, Revere, Everett, Winthrop, Chelsea, and Stoneham responded to assist Saugus at the fires with more than twelve individuals being displaced.

On the morning of February 23rd, 2023, the Stoneham Fire Department received multiple phone calls for a reported structure fire at 590 Main Street. Stoneham Police quickly reported one occupant was trapped in a rear bedroom of the home as Stoneham Fire Crews arrived to heavy smoke showing from the rear of the occupancy and a 2nd alarm was struck. Wakefield Engine 2 responded direct to the fire with a crew consisting of Acting Lieutenant Jerry Sancinito, Firefighters Gene Doucette, and Mike Rowe. Acting Deputy Chief Brian Purcell responded in Car 2 along with Wakefield Engine 2 and upon arrival were given orders to assist with the removal of a victim reported to be trapped in the rear of the structure. The Wakefield crew assisted Stoneham firefighters with removing an elderly gentleman, who was trapped in a first-floor bedroom down a ladder and out a rear window, placed directly onto a backboard, and immediately transported to a Boston area Hospital. Wakefield crews assisted with extinguishing hot-spots in the basement and overhaul returning several hours later. The next morning at approximately 4:49 a.m., at the same location of 590 Main Street in Stoneham, a re-kindle occurred and a 2nd alarm was again struck as companies had heavy fire showing from the home on arrival. Wakefield Engine 2 responded direct to the fire, again led by Acting Lieutenant Jerry Sancinito along with Firefighters Gene Doucette and John Hurley. The Wakefield crew assisted with fire suppression efforts operating handlines from the exterior to control the heavy fire as the vacant home was completely destroyed in the blaze.

During the weekend of February 4th-5th, 2023 the Northeast experienced a severe cold snap and temperatures, with the wind chill factor, dropped well below -25 degrees. The Wakefield Fire Department responded to over 64 incidents in a two-day period – with more than three quarters of those emergencies being related to broken frozen pipes and fire alarm/sprinkler malfunctions. Several businesses and residential occupancies in Town suffered substantial water damage due to the extreme cold temperatures.

On February 25th Wakefield Engine 2, led by Acting Lieutenant Jon Murphy, responded to 58 Oak Street per reports of a vehicle into a house. On arrival the crews found an elderly 80-year old female who had lost control of her vehicle and ended up driving across the front lawn and coming to rest just at the base of the home. The crew secured the vehicle, checked the home and found no structural damage was sustained. The operator was assessed by Cataldo Ambulance and refused transport to the hospital.

In the early evening hours of February 27th Group 2, led by Acting Captain Sean Curran, responded to a 911 call reporting a kitchen fire at 9 Franklin Street – 2nd floor apartment. On arrival companies encountered a strong smoke condition after accessing the apartment via the rear stairwell. The occupant had utilized a fire-extinguisher to knock down a cooking oil fire on the stove-top. Crews disconnected the stove which had sustained some heat damage and ventilated the heavy smoke condition from the multi-family home. Fortunately, the fire did not extend into the cabinets or walls. Companies returned to quarters without further incident.

During the month of February all Groups continued their ongoing Emergency Medical Technician training. All members also trained on the Department’s Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG’s) and continued to train at Lake Quannapowitt on water/ice rescue procedures utilizing cold water suits and the Department’s ice/rescue sled. Several Groups within the Department also trained extensively on self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and Rapid Intervention protocols.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report