The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 233 emergency incidents during the month of July 2006 including 60 Box Alarms and 173 Still Alarms.
The most serious incident during July was a raging fire at 16 Mansion Road on the evening of July 9th. This fire involved 2 motor vehicles parked in a two-car garage under a split-level style home. Fortunately, due to an early 9-1-1 call reporting the fire coupled with a fast attack by firefighters, there were no injuries and further damage to the attached home was prevented. Ironically, firefighters fought this fire using the same fire hydrant used to combat the four-alarm fire at the nearby Winship Mansion in March of 2005.
The fire department responded to 11 mutual aid requests during July, including Melrose (1), Reading (1), Lynnfield (1), Lynn (1), and Saugus (3), Malden (1), Stoneham (2) and Chelsea (1). The department received mutual aid on 3 occasions in July, from Stoneham (1) and Reading (2).
Firefighter Robert W. Jordan retired from the department on July 6, 2006. Firefighter Jordan was appointed a Permanent Firefighter on October 21, 1974. We thank him for his nearly 32 years of service to the Wakefield Fire Department and wish him and his wife Marilyn a happy and healthy retirement.
Roberta Taggart of 36 Converse Street in Wakefield was appointed a Permanent Firefighter effective on July 18, 2006. Firefighter Taggart replaces retiring Firefighter Jordan and has been assigned to Group 1.
Training activities during July included:
- Review of proper procedure to raise a 35 foot extension ladder
- Review of the use of the K-12 saw with a metal cutting blade
- Initial training with Recruit FF Taggart until she can attend the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy
The department was also busy dealing with the traditional issues relating to our annual Fourth of July parade and fireworks celebrations. We are pleased to report that this years events went off without incident.
