May 2024

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 398 emergency incidents during the month of May 2024 including 40 box alarms and 398 still alarms. The department responded to six requests for mutual aid during May, once each to Chelsea, Lynnfield, Melrose, North Andover, Stoneham and Woburn. The department received mutual aid once during May from Saugus. Firefighters from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant Cliff Silva covered Stoneham Fire Headquarters while firefighters in that community were tied up at an extended incident during the afternoon of May 13. Lieutenant Michael Long and other members of the District 2 Hazardous Materials Response Team responded to a construction site at the North Andover Middle School after a spill of several chemicals occurred at that location during the afternoon of May 16. Lt. Long and several other members of the team entered the affected area and mitigated the situation. Firefighters from Engine 2 under Lieutenant Sean Curran assisted the Melrose Fire Department at the scene of a structure fire at 8 Central Terrace during the afternoon of May 24. Just a short time later the same crew from Engine 2 covered a vacant Lynnfield fire station while firefighters from that community dealt with a structure fire at 17 Longbow Circle. Firefighters from Engine 5 under the command of Lieutenant Christopher Crogan responded to a fast spreading fire at 1 Richmond Park that quickly progressed to 3-alarms during the early morning of May 26. Firefighters from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant John Mercurio covered a vacant Chelsea fire station during a 5-alarm fire in that city during the afternoon of May 30.

Firefighters under the command of Captain Randy Hudson quickly controlled a chimney fire at 17 Woodland Road during the evening of May 19. The chimney malfunctioned and allowed smoke to fill the first floor. Firefighters extinguished the fire in the fireplace and then examined the chimney and flue to make sure that the fire did not extend to anywhere else in the home. There was no extension of fire and the home was vented of excess smoke. The homeowners were to follow-up and have the chimney, flue and cap inspected and repaired as necessary.

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 May. The department’s inventory of fire hose was inspected and pressure tested during May. All remaining fire drills not conducted during April were completed in May. All groups trained with the department’s two fire boats during May. Firefighters from Ladder 1 hung an American Flag along with a crew from a Melrose Ladder truck in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church to acknowledge and honor the veterans being recognized in the wounded warrior bike ride that was held on May 19. A group of Boy Scouts visited Wakefield Fire Headquarters on May 20. The department participated in the Town’s annual Memorial Day Service held on the upper common on May 27, which concluded with the firing of a 21-gun salute of 105mm Howitzers, courtesy of the 101st Massachusetts Field Artillery Unit. The crew from Engine 1 assisted the kindergarten classes at the Dolbeare Elementary School wash their fire truck on May 31.

All duty groups received training in the proper use and maintenance of the department’s new air compressor for its self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). This compressor was purchased through federal funding from an Assistance to Firefighter’s grant through the Department of Homeland Security. Equipment purchased under a Fiscal Year 2024 State Firefighter Safety Equipment grant totaling $19,000 will be placed into service after department members receive training on its proper use. This equipment includes new air bottles for the departments SCBA, new fire nozzles flowing higher amounts of water at a reduced nozzle pressure, three hydrogen cyanide gas detectors and one multi-gas detectors used to measure levels of oxygen, natural gas, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report