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The department responded to a total
of 2,426 calls during 1998.
Residential Buildings 2 False Alarms
293
Residential (Other) 5 Ambulance/Rescue
1,508
Commercial Structure Service Calls
361
Commercial (Other) 3 Carbon Monoxide
Detector 23
Haz Mat 1 Hazardous Materials 2
Chimney, Fireplaces &
Woodburning Stoves 2
Vehicles 52 Out of Town Assistance
173
Brush, Grass or Rubbish 65 Fire 57
Dumpster 7 Ambulance/Rescue 58
Estimated value of property endangered
was $2,519,400 with estimated property loss being $65,000.
The following is a list of permits
issued:
Black Powder 5 Propane 63
Blasting 25 Report 38
Class C Explosive 0 Smoke Detector
287
Fire Alarm 107 Tank 48
Flammable Liquid 2 Miscellaneous
13
Oil Burner 114 Sprinkler 66
Subpoena 0 Truck 0
Welding 3 Gas Stations 3
TOTAL 774
As required by law, all schools,
public buildings, nursing homes and flammable storage facilities were
inspected by the Fire Prevention Bureau under the direction of Lt. Joseph
McMahon and Acting Lt. Christopher Nee. Other inspections listed below:
New Residential Plans Review 125
New Residential Fire Inspections
118
New Industrial Plans Review 50
Fire Inspection Industrial/Commercial
301
Underground Tank Removals 41
Underground Tank Installations 7
Oil Burner 120
Propane 60
Shift Personnel Inspected 287 residential
properties for smoke detectors in compliance with MGL 148 Sec 26F.
School classroom Grades K-5 were
visited by fire fighters and various safety issues were discussed. Fire
fighter Robert Patrie instructed fire prevention at the Abundant Life
School. Lt. Joseph McMahon continued to implement the Safe Grant Program
of Fire Safety Education in the elementary and middle schools. Fire
fighters, in conjunction with the library staff, participated in a Fire
Prevention Week Program and puppet show at the Library.
Fire Alarm Superintendent Paul Welch
reports the following for 1998. All circuits (1 through 6) and master
boxes were tested and repairs made as needed.
Circuit one was removed from the
Burlington Avenue Bridge due to the construction of the new bridge.
The circuit is temporarily strung over the railroad tracks and will
be placed underground upon the completion of the new bridge. Box 121
at the corner of Main Street and Church Street was also removed due
to construction and will be installed again when a definite location
can be determined. A new antenna was installed at a Nynex Tower on Main
Street that is connected through the figure 8 cable that runs between
the tower and the fire station.
The municipal fire alarm system now
has 191 master boxes and 15 street boxes for a total of 206 on line.
The following master boxes were added
to the system in 1998:
1227 Sunline Products, 227 Main Street
3114 Sir Speedy Printing, 609 Main
Street
3241 Textron, 201 Lowell Street
3243 Textron Day Care, 201 Lowell
Street
3245 Admiral Business Park, 205 Lowell
Street
6211 Avalon Oaks, 1 Avalon Drive
6212 Avalon Oaks, 1 Avalon Drive
6371 Bell Industries, 299 Ballardvale
Street
6378 Stride Rite Corp, 600 Research
Drive
6514 Edart Leasing, 389 Andover Street
6515 Bob’s Auto Body, 30 Andover
Street
6528 Jamcorp, 17 Jonspin Road
6531 Arrow Electronics, 35 Upton
Drive
Thirteen members of the department
were trained as confined space rescue technicians in a week long course
held at Zeneca Resins. Graduation took place on Friday October 30th.
On Monday, November 2nd the newly formed team effected a
spectacular confined space aerial rescue from a crushed stone hopper
at the Benevento Sand and Stone Company on Salem Street. Members of
the team are designated by an asterisk on the department roster.
A new rescue boat was placed in service
with all members of the department receiving training in it’s operation.
Final architectural drawings for
the public safety building are nearly complete with site work scheduled
to begin soon.
Department goals include the construction
and occupancy of the public safety building and planning for a sub-station
in North Wilmington. Fire Department staffing is expected to increase
to accommodate the rapid growth in town.
In conclusion, I would like to thank
the Town Manager and his staff, Assistant Town Manager, Department Heads
and staff, the Board of Selectmen and the many organizations for their
assistance during the past year.
A very special thank you to the members
of the Wilmington Fire Department for your support, participation and
enthusiasm in providing a well rounded and highly professional level
of public safety service to the Town of Wilmington.
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