September 2020

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 294 emergency incidents during the month of September including 26 box alarms and 268 still alarms. The department responded to two requests for mutual aid during September, once each to Melrose and Reading. The department received mutual aid three times during the month of September, two times from Reading and once from Stoneham. A crew from Engine 1 under Lieutenant Joseph Albert assisted the Reading Fire Department at the scene of a 2-alarm fire at 27 Virginia Road during the afternoon of September 19.

Firefighters under the command of Captain John Walsh responded to a report of a structure fire at 134 Salem Street during the morning of September 6. Firefighters arrived to find that a plumbing contractor had hit a nail while cutting a drain hole for a shower drain and the resulting sparks had ignited nearby wood construction. He was able to dump a bucket of water on the fire slowing its spread until firefighters could complete extinguishment. The fire was contained to the area of origin and there were no injuries as a result of the fire.

Crews under the direction of Captain Paul Pronco responded to the West Rock Company at 365 Audubon Road during the evening of September 10 to assist a worker who had injured his hand in an industrial roller. The worker had been freed by co-workers prior to the department’s arrival. He was treated by Cataldo Ambulance paramedics and transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for follow-up care.

A crew from Engine 1 led by Lieutenant Daniel Hancock responded to 14 Audubon Road during the early morning of September 22 to assist the Wakefield Police and Cataldo Ambulance with the treatment of a young woman with a gunshot wound to the neck and shoulder area. The woman was treated at the scene and transported to Lahey Clinic in Burlington for follow-up care.

A shortage of rain coupled with a mild winter has resulted in significant drought conditions throughout the state. As ground moisture levels drop vegetation including mulch and brush has dried out to the point where they are very susceptible to ignition. The department has responded to numerous incidents where mulched landscaping has ignited from the careless disposal of smoking materials. Residents are reminded to make sure that they safely dispose of cigarettes in an ashtray and not discard them on the ground. Several campfires triggered brush fires in the wooded areas off Hemlock Road and Castle Clare Circle during September. The large pile of leaves and yard waste at the town pit off of Nahant Street heated up and spontaneously ignited on September 22 requiring firefighters to open up the pile with the assistance from DPW employees so that it could be wet down and extinguished. The pit area had to be wet down for several days following this fire to ensure that the fire remained extinguished. The vegetation will remain susceptible to fires until the region receives some significant rainfall.

All department members continue to participate in on-line training programs related to their continuing education requirements for Emergency Medical Technician. Several groups participated in a practical training evolution at Howe’s tow yard involving vehicle extrication techniques. The department’s aerial ladder as well as all ground ladders were tested and passed their annual performance tests. All duty groups continue to conduct in-service fire prevention inspections of local businesses. These inspections are necessary to keep citizens working in these businesses safe and help to keep emergency contacts for these businesses accurate. The Fire Prevention Bureau conducted an inspection of the new fire alarm system installed at 27 Water Street during the morning of September 28.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report