October 2024

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 372 emergency incidents during the month of October 2024 including 32 box alarms and 340 still alarms. The department responded to five requests for mutual aid during October, twice each to Lynnfield and Saugus and one response to North Reading. The department received mutual aid five times during October, three times from Lynnfield and twice from Reading. A crew from Engine 1 covered a vacant Lynnfield fire station on October 17 while that department was tied up during another incident. Firefighters from Engine 2 led by Acting Lieutenant Timothy Donovan assisted the Saugus Fire Department at the scene of a structure fire on Central Street during the afternoon of October 26. Firefighters led by Lieutenant John Mercurio assisted the Middleton Fire Department at the scene of a 5-alarm brush fire during the afternoon of October 27. Firefighters under Lieutenant Daniel Hancock assisted the Saugus Fire Department with a large brush fire in Breakheart Reservation during the early evening of October 28.

Firefighters under the command of Captain Paul Pronco responded to a serious motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Vernon and Lowell Streets during the evening of October 17. Arriving crews found a young adult male trapped inside a vehicle with serious injuries. The vehicle had struck a large parked construction truck, ripping the roof off of the car. Firefighters quickly used hydraulic rescue tools to force open the vehicle doors and other sections of the car to gain access to the victim. The Medflight helicopter was requested due to the serious nature of the man’s injuries and promptly landed at Veteran’s Field. The occupant was transported to the Medflight helicopter and flown to Massachusetts General Hospital. Excellent cooperation between responding firefighters, Cataldo Ambulance paramedics and Medflight personnel resulted in a smooth and efficient rescue that will significantly increase the young driver’s chances of recovery.

Fire Chief Michael Sullivan returned to full-duty on October 21. Provisional Fire Chief Thomas Purcell, Provisional Deputy Fire Chief John Walsh, Acting Captain Sean Curran and Acting Lieutenant Timothy Donovan have all returned to their former positions. Chief Sullivan wishes to acknowledge all of their efforts to keep the department running smoothly in his absence.

The department applied for a Fiscal Year 2025 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 funding for three rescue jacks used in motor vehicle crashes, two roof saws, a thermal imaging camera and some rescue cribbing used to prop up vehicles and other heavy items lifted by hydraulic extrication tools. The grant is competitive and open to all fire departments in the Commonwealth to apply for. Grant award notifications to applicant fire departments are anticipated to be announced sometime after January 1st of 2025.

The Wakefield Fire Department conducted its first Open House in many years on October 12. This event was well received and well attended by the public. There were many hands-on activities available for children at this event. They could squirt a fire hose at a wooden target with painted flames that disappeared when hit by the hose stream. They could use another prop to demonstrate the effectiveness of extinguishing a pan fire by placing a cover over it. There were fire trucks, an ambulance and a police cruiser for the children to climb into and explore. Parents and older children had a variety of fire safety pamphlets to bring home and read. The event was a positive experience for everyone, young and old, who participated in it. A special thank is in order for Wakefield Fire Lieutenant Steven Bivens, who organized the event and worked with the on-duty shift of firefighters to make this event happen. Special thanks also go to Provisional Chief Thomas Purcell, Provisional Deputy Chief John Walsh, Lieutenant Daniel Hancock and firefighters John Hurley, Jonathan O’Brien, Marnie Sheeran, Roberta Taggart, Joseph Treacy and
Administrative Assistant Pam Cruciani for volunteering their time to the Open House. The department was encouraged by this success and hopes to make the Open House an annual event in the future.

Department members participated in Emergency Medical Technician training classes as part of their annual continuing education requirements, including a class regarding safe and efficient patient lifting techniques while responding to emergency medical calls. The department continued its ongoing in-service safety inspections and pre-planning tours of various businesses in town during October. The department’s aerial ladder truck was tested and inspected on October 8. All individual face pieces for department member’s self-contained breathing apparatus were tested to ensure that they fit properly during the week of October 21 to 25. All groups participated in training evolutions regarding vehicle extrication techniques, aerial and ground ladder operations, pumper drafting, chimney fires and carbon monoxide investigations.

A crew from Engine 1 visited the Children’s Center of Wakefield on Water Street during the morning of October 7. The Walton School conducted an evacuation drill to the Wakefield Senior Center on October 4. The Dolbeare School conducted an evacuation drill to the Methodist Church on October 11. Children from the Canterbury Preschool visited Wakefield Fire Headquarters on October 21 and 22. The department participated in a wake and funeral service for retired Wakefield Firefighter Arthur G. Cole Jr. on October 28.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report