October 2021

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 382 emergency incidents during the month of October 2021 including 32 box alarms and 350 still alarms. The department did not respond to any requests for mutual aid during October. The department received mutual aid twenty times during the month of October, six times from Reading, three times each from Melrose and Stoneham, twice each from Lynnfield, Malden and Saugus and once each from Lynn and North Reading.

Wakefield firefighters led by Captain Randy Hudson responded to a report of a worker who had fallen at the construction site at 168 Albion Street during the afternoon of October 8. Firefighters found that the worker had fallen off of a ladder into the basement crawl space, injuring his left arm and shoulder. The only way to get him out was through the same hole that the worker had fallen into. Cataldo paramedics and Wakefield firefighters entered the crawl space, stabilized his injuries and removed him by tying him into a rescue litter and hauling him up a 14-foot ladder. He was then transported to Lahey Burlington for follow-up care. Careful coordination between Wakefield firefighters and Cataldo Ambulance personnel resulted in a smooth rescue operation that prevented any further injury to the patient.

Firefighters under the command of Captain John Walsh responded to the Wakefield House of Pizza, 43 Tuttle Street, after workers at that location reported a basement fire during the afternoon of October 11. The business owner discovered a fire in the basement freezer and was able to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher. The fire was contained to the freezer unit but smoke from it quickly filled the restaurant. Firefighters confirmed that the fire had not extended beyond the freezer and vented the building of smoke. The cause was determined to be cardboard food packaging that had come into contact with a hot freezer coil igniting the fire. There were no injuries as a result of the fire and the restaurant was able to re-open after a thorough cleaning.

Five new Wakefield firefighters, Samuel Carr, Richard Bruno, Charles Curran, John Panzini and Jarrod Fitzpatrick, graduated from Recruit Class #295 of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy on October 8. This graduation marked the completion of an intensive ten-week training regimen. The recruits were assigned to their respective groups during the week following their graduation. The department welcomes these firefighters and wishes them a long productive career in the fire service.

The Wakefield Fire Department officially increased its minimum staffing level per shift from ten to eleven firefighters on October 18. This is the first staffing increase in the Wakefield Fire Department in more than 50 years. The new staffing level allows the department to staff its aerial ladder truck with three department members at all times. This staffing level is being significantly funded for the first three years via a federal SAFER staffing grant worth $1.2 million that was awarded to the department in 2020. A steady increase in emergency responses annually coupled with the construction boom and the corresponding increase in large-scale residential developments being built in Wakefield have placed a strain on available department resources. The increased staffing level will help the department meet its mission of providing the citizens of Wakefield with the best and most efficient fire protection possible.

The department was devastated by the loss of Wakefield Fire Lieutenant Robert Ford, who died in the line of duty on October 24. Lieutenant Ford died after fighting a courageous 14-month battle with colon cancer, which has been classified as an occupational cancer for firefighters. Lt. Ford was 48 years old and a 16-year member of the department. He leaves behind his loving wife Michelle and their three children, Robert, Caroline and Michael. He was laid to rest on October 29 after a full fire department wake and funeral befitting his service with the Wakefield Fire Department. He was a dedicated firefighter who showed up for every shift with a positive attitude, ready to work for and serve his community. We will all deeply miss Rob, his warm smile and his enthusiasm for the job that he truly loved. Rest in peace Rob. We will carry on from here remembering your strength and courage as a worthy example to follow.

All groups continued their annual in-service business inspections during October. All department members participated in Emergency Medical Technician training classes during October provided free to the department by Cataldo Ambulance. The department conducted fire drills in all public and private schools during the month of October. The department participated along with the Wakefield Police and School department in an active shooter drill conducted at the Wakefield Memorial High School on October 23. Several shifts conducted vehicle extrication training and all four shifts took part in reviewing the proper use of its multi-gas detectors.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report