The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 220 emergency incidents during the month of May including 31 box alarms and 189 still alarms.
The Department responded to four mutual aid requests during May, twice to Melrose, once to North Reading and once to Winchester. It received mutual aid three times during May, all three times from Stoneham. Wakefield Engine 2 covered Winchester Fire Headquarters during a three-alarm fire in that community on Copley Street during the morning of May 18. Engine 2 covered the North Reading Fire Department headquarters while that department was tied up at a two-alarm fire during the afternoon of May 27.
Firefighters under the command of Captain Joseph Riley responded to a fire at the Guillow’s Plant during the afternoon of May 11. The fire was ignited when sparks from a wood-cutting machine got into the dust-collection system for the plant. The fire was contained to the collection system ductwork adjacent to the area of origin. There were no injuries and the plant suffered minimal damage as a result of the fire. The Wakefield Fire Department responded to a potentially serious bathroom fire at the Wakefield Memorial High School at 60 Farm Street. The fire was intentionally set but was quickly controlled thanks to the quick actions of several faculty members and firefighters were on scene for a few minutes clearing the hallways of smoke. Wakefield Town Meeting approved funding for a new ladder truck, which will take approximately a year to build and outfit. Town meeting also restored the Fire Prevention Officer’s position to the department as part of the fiscal year 2013 budget.
All four groups participated in a joint training program with the Reading Fire Department on aerial ladder trucks during the first week of May. This grant is funded through a federal Assistance to Firefighter’s grant via the Department of Homeland Security. All groups also received continuing education classes towards their Emergency Medical Technician certifications. The Wakefield Fire Department conducted fire drills in all public and private schools during the month of May. Ladder 1 visited the Tall Spire Nursery School on May 24 and 30 to the delight of the children in attendance.
