EAST PROVIDENCE — East Providence Fire Department Chief Glenn J. Quick, recently announced he was retiring following a 37-year career. His last day on the job was November 18.

Quick began his career as a firefighter in 1987. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1995, to captain in 2002, to battalion chief in 2006 and chief and EMA director in 2019.

Mayor Bob DaSilva named Battalion Chief Michael Carey Interim Acting Chief. Carey has been a member of the EPFD for 34 years with the last four serving as deputy emergency medical agency director and chief of operations.

“I am humbled by the outpouring of appreciation for my service,” 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."

Some of Quick's accomplishments as chief included:

• $7.2M in grants/reimbursements
• Conducted two fire academies: total of 40 new recruits
• Purchased three new rescues, two new engines, one new ladder
• Put part-time rescue into service at Station 3 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

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

In addition, he is a member of the Rhode Island Fire Chief’s Association, National Fire Protection Association, Rhode Island Association of Firefighters as well as the 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, who earned an Associates Degree in Fire Science, is a certified NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor, NFPA 1521 Safety Officer and NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 1 & 2.

“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,” DaSilva said.