July 2019

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 385 emergency incidents during the month of July including 44 box alarms and 341 still alarms.

The department responded to six requests for mutual aid during July, three times to Stoneham, twice to Melrose and once to Woburn. It received mutual aid five times in July, three times from Lynnfield and twice from Stoneham. A crew from Engine 1 under the direction of Lieutenant Phil Preston covered a vacant Woburn fire station during a 2-alarm fire in that city on the evening of July 5. Firefighters from Engine 2 under the command of Lieutenant Joseph Albert assisted the Stoneham Fire Department during a 3-alarm fire in a large horse barn at 25 Emery Court during the evening of July 27. Sadly a horse died as a result of this fire. A second crew from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant Albert assisted the Stoneham Fire Department at the scene of a 2-alarm fire in a two-family residence at 13 Pomworth Street during the afternoon of July 30.

Firefighters under the command of Captain Thomas Purcell responded to a reported kitchen fire at 147 Parker Road during the early evening of July 11. On arrival, firefighters found that the homeowner had discovered a fire on the stove top and extinguished it. The fire created a smoke condition in the residence and damaged the adjoining counter top and carpet but did not extend beyond the immediate area of the stove. One of the homeowners suffered some minor burns to her fingers and right foot and was treated at the scene. The cause of the fire was determined to be an unattended tea kettle that had ignited and melted, dripping burning plastic onto the adjoining counter and carpet areas.

Another group of firefighters led by Captain Thomas Purcell rescued a dog in distress from Lake Quannapowitt in the area of the Spaulding Street Playground during the early evening of July 13. The dog had strayed too far from shore and required assistance getting back. Department members equipped with a survival suits and safety rope were able to reach the dog and bring it safely to shore.

Firefighters under the command of Captain Randy Hudson responded to a report of a vehicle fire in close proximity to a house at 8 Coolidge Road during the evening of July 22. On arrival, firefighters found that the homeowner had managed to knock down the flames with a garden hose, preventing it from extending to the nearby home. The remaining fire was quickly extinguished with no injuries to either the residents or firefighters. The cause of the fire was suspected to be the careless disposal of smoking materials inside the vehicle.

All duty shifts continued their in-service business safety inspections during the month of July. The department’s pumper engines were inspected and passed their annual pumping service tests on July 9. The aerial ladder as well as all of the department’s ground ladders were tested and passed inspection on July 30. All duty groups conducted a walk-thru of the National Grid substation on Montrose Avenue during the month of July.

A group of children from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Annual Safety Camp visited Wakefield Police and Fire Headquarters on July 10. The children got a tour of the Public Safety Building and later on got to spray water from a fire hose. The Department participated in a summer safety event sponsored by the Middlesex District Attorney’s office during the early evening of July 18 on the Lower Common. The event was well attended and there were emergency vehicles on hand for the children to climb on. A group of children from the Wakefield summer school program visited Wakefield Fire Headquarters on the morning of July 23. A group of children from the Wakefield Boys and Girls Club received a visit from the crew of Ladder 1 during the afternoon of July 31.

The Wakefield Fire Department has a new Administrative Assistant, Ms. Anne Boodry. Anne has transferred over from the Treasurer’s office and is adjusting well in her new position.The Department welcomes Anne and wishes her well in her new role.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report