November 2023

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 363 emergency incidents during the month of November 2023 including 40 box alarms and 323 still alarms. The department responded to six requests for mutual aid during November, twice to Stoneham and once each to Lynnfield, Melrose, Reading and Winchester. The department received mutual aid twice during November, once each from Melrose and Reading. A crew from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant Sean Curran covered Winchester Fire Headquarters during a 3-alarm fire in that community during the afternoon of November 8. Lt. Steve Bivens and a crew from Engine 2 covered Stoneham Fire headquarters during a structure fire in that community during the early morning of November 21. A crew from Engine 1 under Lieutenant Phil Preston covered Reading Fire Headquarters during a structure fire in that community on Thanksgiving evening. A crew from Engine 2 under the command of Lieutenant Sean Curran assisted the Melrose Fire Department at the scene of a 2-alarm fire at 41 Harrison Street during the evening of November 24.

Fire crews responded to a serious motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Farm and Montrose Avenue just before noon on November 21. A battery-operated hydraulic spreader tool (Jaws of Life) was used to gain access to the vehicle to remove one of the occupants. The 43-year old occupant was removed from the vehicle and transported to Lahey Burlington with non-life- threatening injuries. Wakefield firefighters were required to use the Jaws of Life for a second time in November after to they responded to a report of a car into a house at 9 Kathleen Drive on the morning of November 30. A Chevrolet work van was involved in an accident with another vehicle, forcing it down a driveway and into the Kathleen Drive residence. The driver was trapped inside the van for a brief period before firefighters used the Jaws to force open the door. The 27- year old male operator suffered serious injuries and was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for follow-up care.

The department applied for a Fiscal Year 2024 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant in the amount of $19,000 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The department is hoping to obtain some fire nozzles, hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide gas detectors and air bottles for the department’s self-contained breathing apparatus. The grant is competitive and open to all fire departments in the Commonwealth. Grant award notifications to applicant departments should be made sometime after the first of the year.

All groups participated in Emergency Medical Technician training classes. All groups reviewed procedures involving the extinguishment of chimney fire and responses to carbon monoxide emergencies in October. All four duty groups conducted training sessions on handling and throwing ground ladders and search and rescue techniques inside fire buildings. Many department members took advantage of a seminar held by the Department of Fire Services on the state blasting regulations and the duties and requirement for firefighters working blasting details held at the Public Safety Building on November 3.The department attended the Veteran’s Day ceremony held at the Galvin Middle School on November 11.

Preschoolers from the St. Joseph’s School received a visit from Wakefield firefighters on November 1. Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Purcell participated in the Wakefield 101 program offered for Wakefield residents at the Americal Civic Center during the evening of November 2.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report