September 2025

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 358 emergency incidents during the month of September 2025, including 34 Box alarms and 324 still alarms. The Department responded to six requests for mutual aid during September to the towns of Lynnfield, Reading, North Reading, and twice to the Town of Stoneham.

On September 3rd, 2025 Wakefield Engine 1 responded mutual aid to the Town of Lynnfield for extended brush. Engine 2 responded to a medical aid and then continued with coverage at South station for a short time. On September 4th, Wakefield Engine 1 with a crew consisting of Lieutenant Dan Hancock, FF Mike Rowe, and FF Ben Tomsyck responded to a 2nd alarm at approximately 2:00 am, as the Rapid Intervention Team, in Reading at 32 Libby Avenue. Engine 2 remained on scene in Reading until the fire was declared under control and was released at 4:20 a.m. On September 8, 2025 Engine 2 responded mutual aid to the Town of Stoneham for the investigation of alarms sounding at 168 Franklin Street. The crew removed a faulty detector and returned to Wakefield shortly thereafter. On September 16th, 2025 Wakefield sent Engine 1 mutual aid to the Town of North Reading to cover headquarters while their companies were tied up with a garage fire. On September 17th, 2025 Wakefield Engine 2 covered Stoneham Headquarters on their extended incident for a short time and Engine 2 covered Stoneham headquarters again on September 19, 2025 during a water incident in that Town.

At approximately 22:00 hours on September 1, 2025 the Police reported a motor vehicle accident on I-95 North-bound prior to Exit 57. On arrival Car 3, Engine 1 and Ladder 1, led by Captain Randy Hudson, found one vehicle off the road. Crews stretched a handline and worked to remove the occupant. Companies assisted Cataldo medics packaging and transporting one patient to Lahey Hospital. Crews then worked with a towing company to remove the vehicle from an embankment and cleared the scene at approximately 23:00 hours.

On September 8th, 2025 at 14:51 hours crews, led by Captain John Walsh, responded to an oil tank leak at 63 Whittier Road. On arrival Car 3 confirmed 50-70 gallons of fuel oil, from a ruptured oil tank, spread across the basement. The Department of Environmental Protection was notified and responded. Crews deployed multiple bags of absorbent throughout the basement, utilized a multi-gas detector and deployed ejector fans to remove and residual odor. A private contractor was called in for environmental clean-up of the basement.

On September 9, 2025 at approximately 12:44 hours, the Department received a call from Police reporting a motor vehicle accident with a vehicle on its roof at 151 Broadway. On arrival Captain Paul Pronco in Car 3 confirmed a two-car MVA with one vehicle blocking Broadway on its roof. The occupant had self-extricated, was given initial medical attention, and transported to Melrose Wakefield.

On September 10th, 2025 at approximately 21:35 Police report a vehicle rollover with entrapment at the intersection of Water and Farm Street. On arrival Captain Randy Hudson confirmed a two-car motor vehicle accident with two occupants entrapped in one of the vehicles. Ladder 1 crew stabilized the vehicle and proceeded to use the “jaws of life” to extricate both parties from the vehicle as Engine 1 stretched a precautionary handline. Patients were packaged and taken by Cataldo ambulance to a local hospital.

On the morning of September 10, 2025 at 08:46 an employee of Cibo restaurant 1179 Main Street reports a kitchen fire to Fire Department dispatch. Box 186 was transmitted. On arrival Engine 2 Lieutenant Gary Hill reported a strong smoke condition and after further investigation finds that an employee had deployed a dry chemical fire extinguisher to contain an appliance fire. An electrical issue within an ice chest had caused a fire within the unit. Companies on scene removed the faulty appliance to the exterior to ensure full extinguishment, ventilated the structure and checked for any fire extension. The fire investigation unit was called to the scene along with the Board of Health. The restaurant was closed for several days for clean-up. Companies returned without further incident about an hour later.

Companies, under the command of Captain Paul Pronco, responded to the report of a car fire on I-95 South, south of exit 59, on September 19, 2025 at approximately 10:45 hours. On arrival Car 3 reported a motor vehicle fully involved in fire within the breakdown lane. The vehicle was extinguished in short order by the Engine 1 Crew with bags of absorbent spread over the area to control a ruptured oil line.

During the month of September all groups continued their ongoing Emergency Medical Technician training. All members also trained on the Departments Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs). The WFD Fitness Assessment was conducted at Pine Banks this month with over 70% of the Department participating.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report