The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 220 emergency incidents during the month of March 2008 including 38 Box Alarms and 182 Still Alarms. The department continues to be kept busy dealing with a higher than usual number of carbon monoxide detector activations and heating system emergencies.
The fire department responded to 6 mutual aid requests during March, including Melrose (2), Saugus (1), Lynnfield (1) and Stoneham (2). The department received mutual aid from Stoneham on 2 occasions during March.
Fire Department activities during the month of March included:
- Extensive basic training with the 2 new firefighters appointed to the department during February – Firefighters Mercurio and Silva
- Radiological monitoring training provided by the Department of Fire Services – Hazardous Materials Division. This training was taken in conjunction with the Reading Fire Department
- Training with self contained breathing apparatus and our Rapid Intervention SCBA equipment
The department received four generous donations during March totaling $7,000 that will be used in conjunction with grant(s) to purchase / upgrade the departments hydraulic and air powered rescue tools, aka the “Jaws of Life”. These donations were made by the Wakefield Co-Operative Bank, Hobbs Brook Management, the owners of 601 and 701 Edgewater Drive, the Sheraton Colonial Hotel and Sprint-Nextel. We are grateful for this private support and assistance during these tough financial times.
In the area of Emergency Management, we received additional supplies of portable cots and shelter personal hygiene kits. In addition, we met with the Red Cross to survey and certify the Dolbeare School, Woodville School, St. Joseph’s Church and the Americal Civic Center as emergency shelter facilities.
