In a narrow 5-4 vote Monday night, Quincy city councilors left a $2.6 million request for new firefighter turnout gear stuck in committee, infuriating firefighters and union leaders who had lobbied hard for an immediate purchase. The Koch administration had asked for two full sets of PFAS-free gear for every firefighter after independent lab testing flagged so-called “forever chemicals” in gear the city had already bought.
Council Puts $2.6 Million Gear Plan on Ice
The funding package, which city officials said would cover two complete sets of turnout gear for the department, failed to move out of committee in the split vote, drawing audible reactions from the crowd. Councilors said they were wrestling with budget pressures and lingering doubts about…..