January 2016

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 328 emergency incidents during the month of January including 34 box alarms and 294 still alarms.

The department responded to six requests for mutual aid during January, twice to Melrose and Saugus, once to North Andover and once to Watertown. It received mutual aid four times during January, three times from Melrose and once from Stoneham. A crew from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant David Shinney assisted the Saugus Fire Department at the scene of a 3-alarm fire at 240 Essex Street during the early morning of January 6. Captain Paul Pronco and Lieutenant Michael Long responded along with other members of the Northeast Massachusetts Technical Rescue Team after a large explosion occurred inside a commercial building at 61 Willow Street in North Andover on the morning of January 8. The team assisted the State Police Bomb Squad and regional hazardous materials team during the investigation following the explosion. All team activations and training exercises are funded by the Northeast Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council (NERAC) at no cost to the department. Firefighter Daniel Marsinelli responded along with other members of the District 2 Hazardous materials Response Team to 190 Warren Street in Watertown after a chemical spill was reported at that location. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts pays for all costs incurred by the department for Firefighter Marsinelli’s participation with the team.

Wakefield firefighters under the command of Captain Randy Hudson responded to a structure fire at 416 Main Street during the early evening of January 20. The fire started in a ventilation fan located above the dropped ceiling in the Nail Expressions salon. The fire was quickly extinguished and was confined to the area where it started. The area above the dropped ceiling suffered fire and heat damage and the second floor office spaces and hallway over the store had some smoke damage as a result of the fire. The cause of the fire was determined to an electrical short and related arcing in a ceiling ventilation fan. There were no reported injuries, however, the nail salon will operate at a different location within the building until the necessary repairs to this space are completed.

Firefighters under Captain Richard Smith responded to two serious fire incidents during the evening of January 26. A toaster fire inside an apartment at 41 Richardson Avenue extended to a kitchen counter and surrounding appliances. The fire was quickly extinguished although a considerable amount of smoke did extend throughout the apartment and the adjoining hallway. There were no injuries as a result of the fire. While still at the scene of the Richardson Avenue fire, the department received a report of another fire at 59 Spring Street. Engines 1 and 2 responded with a Melrose ladder truck to find a stove fire that had extended to nearby combustibles. This fire was also quickly contained to the area of the stove. There was significant smoke damage to the second floor apartment. There were no injuries as a result of this fire.

January brought significant changes to personnel within the department. On January 8 Captain Joseph Riley retired from the department after serving almost 30 years with the department. Captain Riley, a veteran with the United States Navy, was appointed to the department on April 3, 1986. Riley was promoted to Lieutenant on October 17, 2002 and to Captain on February 1, 2008. Captain Riley was the shift Captain in charge of Group 2 at the time of his retirement. Captain Richard Smith retired from the department on January 28 after serving for more than 42 years with the department and 45 years with the Town of Wakefield, having worked several years with the Department of Public Works before becoming a firefighter. Smith was appointed a Permanent Firefighter with the department on June 30, 1973. He was promoted to Lieutenant on June 26, 1986 and to Captain on April 17, 2003. Captain Smith was the senior member of the department upon his retirement. The department will miss Captain Riley’s and Captain Smith’s considerable knowledge and experience and we wish them a long and healthy retirement with their families..

The retirement of Captain Joseph Riley resulted in the promotion of Lieutenant Brian Purcell to Captain and Firefighter Christopher Crogan to Lieutenant. Captain Brain Purcell is a fourteen year veteran of the department. He has been assigned as the new Captain for Group 2. Lieutenant Christopher Crogan is a sixteen year veteran of the department and has been assigned as a Lieutenant on Group 4 at the Greenwood Fire Station. The retirement of Captain Richard Smith resulted in the promotion of Lieutenant Christopher Smith to Captain and Firefighter Robert Ford to Lieutenant. Captain Christopher Smith is a twenty-one year veteran of the department. He has been assigned as the New Captain serving as Fire Prevention Officer to replace Captain Thomas Purcell, who will serve as the new Captain for Group 3. Firefighter Robert Ford is a ten year veteran of the department and has been assigned to Group 2 as the ladder truck Lieutenant. The department congratulates these members on their promotions and new assignments and looks forward to working with them in their new capacities.

All four duty groups reviewed standard operating guidelines for cold water rescue and precautions to be taken to safeguard fire apparatus during the cold weather. A class on the medical assessment of patients with suspected spinal injuries was delivered to all four groups. EMS coordinator Gary Hill worked with the department members whose Emergency Medical Technicians certificates were up for renewal this April, ensuring that all members due this year will be certified. The department also took delivery of a new combination cutter/spreader hydraulic rescue tool to replace an old worn out unit. This tool was paid for through a combination of federal grant funds as well as a generous donation from the Wakefield Rotary Club.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report