June 2018

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 309 emergency incidents during the month of June including 30 box alarms and 279 still alarms.

The department responded to two requests for mutual aid during June, both time to Saugus. It received mutual aid one time during June from Saugus. A crew from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant Joe Albert assisted the Saugus fire department at a structure fire during the morning of June 8. Firefighters from Engine 2 under the command of Lieutenant Michael Long returned to Saugus to render assistance to that department during a major gas line rupture at 44 Lincoln Street during the morning of June 18.

Despite a relatively cool and wet spring the vegetation in the region dried out during June as temperatures rose into the 90’s for the first time this year. As a result, grass and brush is now more susceptible to ignition sources such as discarded cigarettes and campfires. Wakefield firefighters from Engine 2 under the direction of Lieutenant David Shinney responded to a reported odor of smoke in the Harrison Avenue are of Greenwood during the afternoon of June 17. An investigation of the area revealed a small brush fire in the woods behind Blueberry Lane. A unit from the Saugus Fire Department assisted at the scene of the one acre fire that extended in the Golden Hills area of that community. The fire was quickly extinguished with no subsequent rekindling or hot spots discovered during the following day.

The Fire Prevention Bureau is monitoring construction work related to a new restaurant to be known as Tonno’s on the first floor of the Wakefield Station development at 175 North Avenue. Construction operations are well under way at the Walton School and are being closely monitored by fire prevention as well. All groups continued their Emergency Medical Technician continuing education classes during the Month of June.

The department conducted training with its two fire boats during the month of June. All duty groups conducted a walk-through of the commercial building located at 360 Audubon Road during the month of June. The department participated in an emergency drill at the Bear Hill Nursing center on June 14. This drill simulated several different scenarios including a partial evacuation of the nursing home as well as an exercise during which the facility practiced procedures necessary to receive patients from another nursing facility. The drill was very instructional and the lessons learned from it will be used to improve the home’s emergency plan.

Multiple drills were conducted by the department in conjunction with the Wakefield Police Department, Action Ambulance and other departments concerning the practice of procedures related to incidents involving the presence of Active Shooters. Several drills were conducted behind the Northeast Regional Vocational School with Wakefield Police and Action Ambulance personnel during the evening of June 25 and 27. Scenarios included vehicle stops involving shooters and one incident involving the presence of Fentanyl discovered inside a vehicle. The Reading Police and Fire Departments also conducted multi-agency drills that the department participated in on June 21 and 25. While it is sad that these drills are necessary they serve as a valuable learning experiences that improves operating procedures and cooperation between responding agencies, possibly saving lives of citizens and first responders involved in this type of incident.

Firefighters from Engine 5 visited with and talked to children at the KinderCare Children’s Center at 607 North Avenue on the morning of June 18. Kindergarteners from the Dolbeare and Woodville Elementary Schools helped the crew helped firefighters wash their truck on June 8 and 11.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report