WAKEFIELD — Chief Michael Sullivan announced today that Wakefield Fire Captain David Shinney retired from the Wakefield Fire Department on April 24, 2025 after serving the fire department for 30 years.
Shinney, a well-respected and knowledgeable fire officer, was appointed to the Wakefield Fire Department as a Permanent Firefighter on April 24, 1995. He was promoted to Permanent Fire Lieutenant on July 1, 2014. He was promoted to Fire Captain on July 16, 2020 and served as the Fire Prevention Officer for another five years until his retirement.
Captain Shinney is a veteran of the United States Air Force. He attended North Shore Community College, where he earned an associate’s degree in Fire Protection and Safety Technology. Shinney held numerous professional firefighter certifications, including Firefighter I/II, Fire Officer I and II and Fire Instructor. He has additional Certifications as Fire Prevention Officer I and II.
Shinney served as Fire Prevention Officer during one of the most active construction booms ever experienced in Wakefield. He worked closely with the Building Department to ensure that all of these large developments complied with the State Fire and Building codes. Captain Shinney enthusiastically shared all of the fire protection features installed in each building he inspected with all department members.
Captain Shinney received a department commendation for his quick actions during a 2-alarm house fire on November 25, 2024. Shinney was on his way to do a fire inspection when he noticed large amounts of smoke coming from the roof of a single-family home. He immediately stopped, notified the occupants, who were unaware of the fire and assisted them outside to a safe location. He called in the fire to Wakefield Fire Headquarters and assisted the first arriving firefighters at the scene once they arrived. Captain Shinney’s actions resulted in the safe evacuation of all the occupants as well as a speedy notification to the department that a fire was in progress at that location.
Chief Sullivan acknowledged Captain David Shinney’s long and distinguished service to the department, stating “We will miss Dave’s knowledge and experience. We wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement.”