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Council refers $2.65 million firefighter turnout-gear loan order to finance committee amid PFAS concerns
Summary
Councilors and residents pressed for testing and procurement clarifications after reports that previously purchased gear tested positive for PFAS; a $2,646,730 loan order to replace turnout gear was moved to the Finance & Oversight Committee for review and advertised prior to a council vote.
The Quincy City Council moved a loan order for $2,646,730 to finance replacement firefighter turnout gear to the Finance & Oversight Committee for further review.
Council members and multiple public speakers stressed the need to follow the statutory advertisement period for a bond (10 days) and to conduct due diligence on prior procurement and testing. Councilor McGee and Councilor Jacobs asked for detailed information about previous 'PFAS-free' claims, the testing protocols used, and whether accredited laboratory methods and EPA-referenced approaches had been employed. Public commenters including Kathy Thrron and Leah D. Dloria urged rigorous chemical testing and faster action to ensure firefighters are protected without exposing them to long-term chemical risks.
President Mahoney confirmed the loan order will be advertised on March 4 and that the earliest possible council vote would be March 16 after the required notice and committee review. The motion to move the order to Finance & Oversight passed by roll call: Councilors Ash, Deona, Hubley, Jacobs, McKe, Riley, Ryan, Yan and President Mahoney voted yes.
Next steps: the Finance & Oversight Committee will hold a public discussion that should include procurement records, laboratory test results, and any proposed procurement specifications that address PFAS testing and acceptable standards.
