July 2020

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 336 emergency incidents during the month of July including 31 box alarms and 305 still alarms. The department responded to two requests for mutual aid during July, once each to Melrose and Saugus. The department received mutual aid four times during the month of July, twice from Lynnfield and once each from Reading and Stoneham. A crew from Engine 2 under Lieutenant Michael Long assisted the Saugus Fire Department at the scene of a structure fire at 1831 Broadway during the early morning of July 13.

Firefighters under the command of Captain Randy Hudson responded to numerous calls on Audubon Road following a transformer fire and power outage in that area. Firefighters found the electrical transformer on the pole across from 2 Audubon Road actively burning with wires down. The burning transformer set off numerous fire alarm systems to buildings in the area keeping firefighters busy. The Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department responded and made thee necessary repairs to the transformer. The DPW made repairs to the asphalt sidewalk, which had melted due to the burning and arcing high voltage electrical lines that had fallen on it. Later that day, the same crews under Captain Hudson rescued two boaters in distress on Lake Quannapowitt whose sailboat had taken on water. Firefighters picked up the two boaters and towed the boat back to shore.

Lieutenant Joseph Albert led a crew from Engine 1 that assisted Cataldo Ambulance and the Wakefield Police Department rescue a missing and injured hiker from Breakheart Reservation during the afternoon of July 22.

Wakefield Fire Department responses increased significantly in July, almost 24% over the month of June. This noticeable increase is perhaps a sign that citizens are more willing to contact the department for services now that the Covid-19 pandemic has quieted down in our area. The department continues to work closely with Cataldo Ambulance to provide the best possible emergency medical care and reminds members of the public not to hesitate to call for assistance for any type of medical emergency, not just those related to Covid-19.

All department members continue to participate in on-line training programs related to their continuing education requirements in order to maintain their certificates for Emergency medical Technician. All duty groups have resumed their in-service fire prevention inspections of local businesses. These inspections are necessary to keep citizens working in these businesses safe and help to keep emergency contacts for these businesses accurate.

The Wakefield Fire Department held a brief swearing in ceremony for newly appointed Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Purcell, Captain David Shinney and Lieutenant Gary Hill at the Public Safety Building on July 21 that was presided over by Town Clerk Betsy Sheeran. Deputy Chief Purcell will be s working in Fire Administration Monday thru Friday assisting Chief Sullivan. Captain David Shinney has been assigned as the department’s new Fire Prevention Officer, taking the place of Captain John Walsh, who will now serve as the Shift supervisor for Group 3. Lieutenant Gary Hill will remain on Group 3 as the Ladder 1 Lieutenant under Captain Walsh. All members wish Deputy Chief Purcell, Captain Shinney and Lieutenant Hill success in their new positions within the Wakefield Fire Department.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report