About the Department

The Wakefield Fire Department is dedicated to the protection and preservation of life and property. We consider it a privilege to serve the residents and guests of the Town of Wakefield, Massachusetts.

The community is serviced by Cataldo Ambulance with the Fire Department responding to all calls for medical aid. Bordered by Melrose, Stoneham, Reading, Saugus and Lynnfield, our Fire department is part of both the Metro Boston and Essex County mutual aid systems. 

Our Firefighters

The 55-member civil service Department operates with four groups of thirteen members with an eleven firefighter minimum on duty at all times. Each group consists of one Shift Commander (Captain), three Lieutenants, and nine firefighters, one of which serves as the Fire Department dispatcher.

In addition to the civil service entrance examination and selection procedure, all Wakefield firefighters must successfully complete the 10-week Massachusetts Fire Academy Recruit Training Program as a condition of employment. All successful academy graduates are certified to NFPA 1001 Firefighter I & II.  All members are trained to the First Responder level, with a large majority being MA certified EMTs. The Department has five certified Paramedics.

Leading the Department

The Wakefield Fire Department is led by Chief of Department Michael J. Sullivan (C1-Car1) and Deputy Chief Thomas M. Purcell (C2-Car2), supported in the Fire Department Administrative offices by one Fire Prevention / Code Enforcement Captain and one Administrative Assistant.