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Quincy Fire Department adds firefighters, plans lithium‑ion battery handling expansion
Summary
Council approved the fire department budget that funds new hires and expanded hazardous waste recovery for damaged lithium‑ion batteries; officials said the city is seeking a permanent on‑site staging location for battery storage pending contracted pickup.
The council approved the Quincy Fire Department—s FY26 budget during the May 13 hearings.
Fire officials said personnel levels are increasing: a recently awarded federal hiring grant will cover 16 firefighter positions for three years, and the department has added 27 new firefighters (including transfers and recruits) with more in a drill school. The chief said these hires increase frontline manpower to historic levels and improve response capacity.
Separately, the department requested a modest increase in a hazardous waste recovery line tied to lithium‑ion battery incidents. Fire staff described a growing number of calls involving damaged batteries; when a battery is exposed or damaged the department overpacks cells into specialized drums using a product called "cell block" to reduce thermal‑runaway risk. Officials said they are coordinating with city staff to identify a secure site (the shipyard area was mentioned) where overpacked batteries can be held for a day or two until a contractor collects them. The department also noted increases in supplies used at accident scenes (e.g., speedy dry) remain part of the line item.
Councilors praised the department—s recruiting and training work and approved the budget; the motion carried on voice vote.
