East Providence Fire Chief to Retire, Mayor Names Acting Chief

East Providence, RI – East Providence Fire Department Chief Glenn J. Quick, who was appointed Chief of Department and EMA Director in 2019, will retire effective November 18, 2023. Battalion Chief Michael Carey has been named Interim Acting Chief of the East Providence Fire Dept. Carey, has been a member of the East Providence Fire Department/EMA for 34 years with the last four serving as Deputy EMA Director and Chief of Operations.

Quick is a 37-year veteran of the East Providence Fire Department. He began his career as a firefighter in 1987, was promoted to lieutenant in 1995, captain in 2002, battalion chief in 2006 and Chief of Department & EMA Director in 2019.

Under the direction of Chief Quick, the East Providence Fire Department and the Emergency Management Agency has had a number of notable accomplishments including:

• Garnered $7.2M in grants/reimbursements
• 2 fire academies – total of 40 new recruits
• The acquisition of 3 new rescues
• The acquisition of 2 new engines
• The acquisition of 1 new ladder
• Put into service a fourth rescue (Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) in Rumford
• Oversaw the launch and operation of the East Providence Regional Vaccination Clinic during the COVID-19 Pandemic providing approximately 56,000 vaccines to residents and administering/distributing approximately 75,000 COVID-19 tests
• Oversaw the development of new public safety communication center
• Regional Technical Rescue Team designation
• Launched a mental health/support program for fire personnel
• Instituted a new, diverse hiring process

“I am humbled by the outpouring of appreciation for my service,” Chief Glenn Quick said. “I am very lucky to have 37 healthy years in the fire service.

“I am leaving the department in great hands and am confident that my successor will continue to build upon the traditions and great work which we have accomplished over the last four years,” Quick added.

“Chief Glenn Quick has led our department through some of the most trying times and helped to lead the response during a worldwide pandemic delivering the best care possible to our residents while simultaneously onboarding 40 new firefighters and purchasing millions of dollars in new equipment to better serve our residents,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “

Throughout his career he served in all department divisions, including administrative assignments. As an incident commander, Chief Quick has managed numerous emergency incidents, including structural fires, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescues and marine incidents. Chief Quick also responded with other EPFD members to the World Trade Center Terrorist Attack in September of 2001.

Chief Quick is a member of the Rhode Island Fire Chief’s Association, National Fire Protection Association, Rhode Island Association of Firefighters, and a member of World Trade Center Health Program. He is a past member of Rhode Island Association of Arson Investigators, International Association of Arson Investigators, Local 850 East Providence Firefighters, Executive Board member for 19 years and past Chairman of the Executive Board of Local 850 for 10 years.

Quick earned his Associates in Fire Science. His certifications include: NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor, NFPA 1521 Safety Officer and NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 1 & 2.