November 2020

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 325 emergency incidents during the month of November including 39 box alarms and 286 still alarms. The department responded to eleven requests for mutual aid during November, six times to Lynnfield, twice to Stoneham and once each Melrose, North Reading and Reading. The department received mutual aid six times during the month of November, twice each from Lynnfield, Reading and Stoneham.

A crew from Engine 2 under Lieutenant Robert Taggart covered Stoneham Fire Headquarters while their firefighters were tied up with a truck fire during the afternoon of November 1. Lt. Taggart responded with another crew from Engine 2 to cover Stoneham Fire Headquarters while they were tied up at an incident during the late morning of November 2. A crew from Engine 1 led by Lieutenant Dan Hancock assisted the Lynnfield Fire Department at the scene of an extensive brush fire on Alexandra Road during the afternoon of November 6. The same crew from Engine 1 under Lieutenant Hancock assisted the Lynnfield fire Department at the scene of a 2-alarm fire at 2 North way during the early evening of November 6. Lt. Hancock returned to Lynnfield with firefighters from Engine 1 to cover their south station during another extensive brush fire on the afternoon of November 8. Lt. Hurley and a crew from Engine 1 covered the Lynnfield Fire Department south station again during the early evening of November 10 while Lynnfield crews were tied up at a serious motor vehicle accident. A crew from Engine 1 under the command of Lieutenant Joseph Albert assisted the North Reading Fire Department at the scene of a 2-alarm house fire at 16 Sunset Avenue during the early afternoon of November 14. A crew from Engine 1 led by Lieutenant Dan Hancock covered the Lynnfield Fire south station during the early afternoon of November 16 while crews were tied up in that community. Lt. John Mercurio led a crew from Engine 1 with assisting the Lynnfield Fire Department at the scene of a 2-alarm fire at 6 Bishop Lane during the early morning of November 26.

Firefighters under the command of Captain John Walsh responded to a reported house fire at 68 Chestnut Street during the early evening of November 4. Upon their arrival, firefighters found the rear deck of the home burning and quickly knocked the fire down with a hose line. The exterior siding of the home was removed in the area of the deck to check for fire extension, which was fortunately not encountered. The fire was confined to the flooring on the rear deck and was determined to be caused by the careless disposal of smoking materials in a make-shift ashtray on the rear deck. There were no injuries to anyone during the fire and the occupants were able to remain in the home.

The Wakefield Fire Department is experiencing a significant increase in emergency medical responses involving citizens sick with or suspected of having the Covid-19 virus. The nation is in the midst of a second surge at least as strong as the original one back in April. Wakefield received an influx of at least 136 new Covid-19 positives individuals during the last half of November. It responded, along with Cataldo Ambulance, to 136 incidents where the presence of Covid-19 was either confirmed or suspected. Department personnel equipped with medical masks, gowns, shields and gloves respond to all requests for medical aid providing the highest level of protection for both the firefighters and the citizens of Wakefield. Citizens are reminded of the importance of calling 911 for injuries and illnesses that are not Covid-19 related. Citizens with signs and symptoms involving heart attacks, stroke, severe hemorrhaging, allergic reactions and other life-threatening conditions still require prompt treatment and transport to the hospital; it is imperative that these citizens still call 9111 for help. Hospitals and emergency rooms have taken extensive precautions to minimize the risk to patients not infected by Covid-19.

All department members participated in both on-line training and instructor led programs related to their continuing education requirements for Emergency Medical Technician. Several groups participated in training evolutions at two single family homes on Salem Street scheduled to be demolished in the near future. All duty groups conducted quarterly fire inspection of all schools, hotels, and boarding houses during the month of November.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report