June 2024

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 428 emergency incidents during the month of June 2024 including 41 box alarms and 387 still alarms. The department responded to three requests for mutual aid during June, once each to North Reading, Saugus and Stoneham. The department received mutual aid twice during June from Lynnfield and Melrose. Firefighters from Engine 5 led by Lieutenant John Mercurio assisted the North Reading Fire Department at the scene of a 2-alarm fire at 4 Canterbury Lane during the early morning of June 1. Firefighters from Engine 2 under Lieutenant Sean Curran assisted the Saugus Fire Department at the scene of a structure fire at 5 Aspen Terrace during the afternoon of June 25.

Firefighters under the command of Captain Brian Purcell quickly controlled a garage fire at 16 Greenwood Street during the evening of June 5. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire in the garage and checked for any fire extension, opening up the exterior walls near the front of the garage. There was no extension of fire beyond the detached garage and the structure was vented of excess smoke. A vehicle parked inside the garage was damaged by the fire. An investigation of the fire eventually determined the cause to be the improper disposal of hot ashes into a plastic container. There were no injuries to anyone living in the home or responding firefighters. The damage was confined to the detached garage and none of the residents were displaced.

Department members participated in Emergency Medical Technician training classes as part of their annual continuing education requirements. The department continued its ongoing in-service safety inspections and pre-planning of various businesses in town during June. The department finished up its pressure testing of fire hose during June. Crews conducted drills including hose evolutions and practiced drafting operations.

Kindergarten and preschool children throughout town, including the Doyle, Greenwood and Walton Schools, received visits from firefighters during June, where firefighters joined children in washing their fire trucks. Children from the Children’s Center of Wakefield and Kinder-care also received visits from firefighters. A group of mentally-challenged adults from Triangle Inc. received a tour of Wakefield Fire Headquarters on June 7. A fire drill was conducted at the Brightview Assisted Living facility on Crescent Street on June 26. The department participated in a ceremony honoring deceased and retired Wakefield Police Officers held at the Public Safety Building community room on June 2. A Firefighter Memorial Sunday services were held at the Lakeside Cemetery on North Ave early on June 9. A contingent of Wakefield Firefighters marched into the cemetery led by a bagpiper to start the ceremony. A short but moving service followed including the sounding of taps after the Honor Roll of deceased permanent members was read.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report