FAQs

Where can I get information on burning regulations and burn permits?

Open burning, includes leaf burning, is illegal in the City of Quincy. The only exception is the burning of any landscape waste for which the Quincy Fire Department has issued a burn permit. Violations of the City’s burning ordinances are punishable by law.

Burn Permits - Burn Permits are issued to residents who wish to burn landscape waste that was grown on that property. (Note: burning of leaves is prohibited.) For a burn permit to be issued the following steps must be taken:

1. An application must be submitted to the Quincy Fire Department at least seven days prior to the intended burn date.

2. The burn site will be inspected for the following:
   
   a) Fuel will be landscape waste only (no refuse, leaves or  construction debris). 
   b) There must be an acceptable means of extinguishment close by. 
   c) The burn pile must not be any more than six feet in height nor more than twenty-four feet in diameter. 
   d) The burn pile must be placed at least 50 feet from structures or other property.

For further information or to obtain a permit, contact the Quincy Fire Department during office hours.

My child has an unhealthy interest/fascination with fire. Does the fire department offer any programs for children to address this problem?

My child has an unhealthy interest/fascination with fire. Does the fire department offer any programs for children to address this problem? Answer: Yes, the Quincy Fire Department has a juvenile fire setting counseling program. If interested, please contact the Quincy Fire Department at 217-228-4459 for details.

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I often hear on the news that a fire was a 3rd or 4th alarm blaze.  What does that mean?

The use of "Alarms" is a Fire Departments way of telling the Dispatch Center to send a standardized amount of help to a scene. Each alarm represents a specific amount of people and trucks. Below you will find a guide to the Quincy Fire Department's alarm system.

Still Alarm: One Engine Company. 

General Alarm: One Incident Commander and three engine companies. 

Second Alarm: One additional engine company dispatched to the fire scene. Call in one off-duty Captain, one Lieutenant and four firefighters to be assigned to Central Station. Both Deputy Chiefs are also called to the fire scene.

Third Alarm: One additional engine company dispatched to the fire scene. Call in an additional two Lieutenants and four firefighters. One Lieutenant and two firefighters will be sent to man Central Station and one Lieutenant and two firefighters will be sent to man Station #3.

Fourth Alarm: Call in one off-duty Assistant Chief and eight fire personnel (officers and/or firefighters) to be assigned to the fire scene. The Fire Chief is also called to the fire scene.

Fifth Alarm: Call in remaining personnel from both off-duty shifts to be assigned to the fire scene.

Is it possible to have a Member of the Quincy Fire Department address my club or citizens group?

The Quincy Fire Department has numerous individuals capable of delivering presentations on a wide variety of topics related to our department and public safety. To arrange a speaker, please contact the fire department at 217-228-4459.

What do I need to know about smoke and carbon monoxide alarms?

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms are required in residential occupancies by Illinois law and City of Quincy ordinance. The Quincy Fire Department strongly encourages residents to comply with the requirement for their personal safety. City ordinance requires at least one functioning smoke alarm on each level in all residential dwellings. Carbon monoxide alarms are only required in residences that have gas fueled appliances and or an attached garage.  

Our Fire Department is enrolled in the program called “Be Alarmed!” Which is a fire safety education and smoke alarm installation program administered cooperatively between Camp I Am Me (CIAM) and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM). The program distributes fire safety education materials and smoke alarms to fire departments in the state of Illinois. The fire departments then deliver the education while installing smoke alarms in at-risk homes within their communities. Both the educational materials and smoke alarms are provided at no cost as a result of funding from both the CIAM and OSFM. Please call the department to get scheduled for your free smoke detectors and installation, 217-228-4459.

Which detectors are best? For a detector to be placed on the market, it must be tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratory (UL). Because of this, we do not recommend any particular brand of either smoke or carbon monoxide detector. Just make sure the brand you buy is UL approved.

Where should I place my detectors? In general, a detector should be placed on each level and within fifteen feet of each sleeping area. For more specific information or to have a firefighter come to your home to advise you, call the Fire Chief’s Office.

I have been contacted by a company about a rather expensive home protection system. Are they better? Most companies are legitimate. However, there are some con artists out there. Before you buy a system, please feel free to call us for advice!

Does the Quincy Fire Department accept volunteers?

The Quincy Fire Department does offer opportunities for interested citizens to volunteer their services in non-emergency capacities, such as secretarial support, and our firefighter rehabilitation team.

The firefighter rehabilitation team is a group that responds to incidents to assist our firefighters with weather dependent comfort services and beverages during structure fires and other prolonged incidents. 

If you're interested in supporting your local Quincy Fire Department

QFD is looking to add members to their Rehab Team

QFD started an all-volunteer Rehab Team about 10 years ago to support the firefighters at emergency scenes. It is a part of the Quincy Fire Department. QFD Rehab is dispatched to all large fires to help the firefighters against heat exhaustion, dehydration issues and protection against fire-related elements, which are serious problems at all fires, all year long.

If supporting your local fire department and firefighters sounds interesting to you, please reach out to Deputy Chief Michael Dade at qfd@quincyil.gov or 217-228-4459.