The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 249 emergency incidents during the month of January 2007 including 53 Box Alarms and 196 Still Alarms.
The fire department responded to 6 mutual aid requests during January, including Melrose (1), Saugus (1), Stoneham (2), and Reading (2). The department received mutual aid twice in January, once from Stoneham, once from Melrose.
The department was kept quite busy during January handling the usual calls related to our cold weather, including a chimney fire, numerous heating system problems – carbon monoxide alarm activations, and water problems related to frozen and burst water pipes.
Fire Department activities during the month of January included:
- Ice and Water Rescue Training
- Review training on our Standard Operating Procedures for Ice and Cold Water Rescue, including practical training at Lake Quannapowitt
- Started our bi-annual Emergency Medical Technician and First Responder Re-certification training, including certification in CPR and the use of cardiac defibrillator(s)
- Completion of a Massachusetts Firefighting Academy “Impact Program – Elevators in the Fire Service”.
Firefighter Roberta Taggart started the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy – Recruit Training Program on January 8, 2007, with graduation set for Friday, March 30, 2007.
Mr. Jonathan O’Brien was appointed a Permanent Firefighter effective on January 1, 2007. Firefighter O’Brien, a Wakefield resident and son of retired Wakefield Police Detective John O’Brien, actually comes to Wakefield through a civil service lateral transfer from the Winchester Fire Department, where he served as a Firefighter – Paramedic for 2 years. During his service with the Winchester Fire Department, Firefighter O’Brien completed the Mass. Firefighting Academy Recruit Training Program.
