November 2013

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 284 emergency incidents during the month of November including 36 box alarms and 248 still alarms.

The Department responded to six requests for mutual aid during November, twice to Lynnfield, twice to Reading and once each to Stoneham and Ipswich. It received mutual aid two times in November, once from Reading and once from Lynnfield. Lieutenant Michael Long, along with a crew from Engine 1, covered a Lynnfield fire station during an incident in that community during the afternoon of November 13. Another Engine 1 crew under Lieutenant Chris Smith covered Reading Fire Headquarters during a 2-alarm fire at 86 Forest Street in that community during the evening of November 22. Lieutenant Michael Long and his crew returned to Reading and covered their headquarters during a working fire in that community during the morning of November 29.

A crew from Engine 2 under the direction of Lieutenant Joseph Albert assisted the Stoneham Fire Department at the scene of a stubborn 3-alarm fire at 38 Pleasant Street during the Thanksgiving afternoon.

Captain Paul Pronco and Lieutenant Michael Long responded along with other members of the Essex County Technical Rescue Team to an incident in Ipswich during the morning of November 19. This incident involved a trench collapse at 134 County Road that trapped a worker until he could be extricated by team members.

Firefighters under the command of Captain Randy Hudson assisted employees at the Rock Tenn facility located at 365 Audubon Road extinguish a fire in a cardboard corrugating machine during the evening of November 5. The fire started when cardboard stock being loaded into the machine jammed and ignited. The fire was contained to the machine causing more than $10,000 in damage. Firefighters faced significant challenges fighting the fire due to the immense size of the building and the difficulties encountered venting smoke from such a large structure. Firefighters and plant employees worked together very effectively thereby preventing a much more serious incident.

All groups received training in vehicle extrication techniques during November. The Department took delivery of 3,000 feet of fire hose as part of a $50,000 grant award from the Department of Homeland Security. An additional 5,600 feet of fire hose was received under the same grant in October. This hose will replace worn out hose that has passed its useful service life. The grant paid for 90% of the total cost for this hose.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report