The Wakefield Fire Department responded to emergency incidents during the month of November including 32 box alarms and 242 still alarms.
The department responded to five requests for mutual aid during November, twice to Melrose, twice to Reading and once to Saugus. It received mutual aid two times in November, once from Reading and once from Stoneham. Wakefield Engine 2 covered the Melrose Fire Headquarters during a fire in that city during the morning of November 5. The Wakefield Fire Department assisted the Reading Fire Department at a basement fire at 132 Village Street during the early morning of November 14. Wakefield Engine 2 and a crew under the command of Lt. Kevin Carney assisted the Town of Saugus at the scene of a major natural gas line rupture at 17 Pine Street during the morning of November 26. Wakefield Engine 2 covered Reading Fire headquarters during a second alarm fire in that community during the afternoon of November 29.
All four groups continue to receive emergency medical training toward their continuing education requirements for emergency medical technician. Wakefield firefighters received refresher training on the proper use of the Hurst tools (Jaws of Life) and air bags.
Ladder 1 visited the St. Joseph’s School at 15 Gould Street during the morning of November 6 and gave a fire safety lesson to several classes of children. Cub Scout groups visited fire headquarters during the afternoon of November 7 and the evening of November 29.
Veteran Wakefield Firefighter Robert F. Brown retired from the Wakefield Fire Department on November 14, 2012 after serving the department for 31 years and the Town of Wakefield for more than 40 years. A Wakefield native, Brown was appointed a full-time permanent Firefighter on April 16, 1981. During his career he worked on several of the department’s groups and at the time of his retirement he was assigned as the senior firefighter to Group # 4 under Captain Paul Pronco. We thank Bob for his service to the department and wish him a happy and healthy retirement.
Two new Wakefield Firefighters were also hired during the month of November. Shane M. Brown and Christopher D. Scott, both originally from Wakefield, were appointed Permanent Wakefield Firefighters on November 15, 2012. These two positions filled vacancies created by the retirement of Firefighter Robert Brown, Shane’s dad, and a position that became vacant when the Fire Prevention Officer Captain’s position was re-instated and subsequent promotions were made to Captain and Lieutenant to fill the position. Firefighter Brown is a veteran with the Army National Guard and Firefighter Scott served four years with the United States Coast Guard. Both men are excellent firefighter candidates and the department looks forward to working with them as they start their new careers in the fire service.
