Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
Station did not notify us of wheelchair batteries as required per FOM 2.100 At close out; we noted on the flight deck report that we had two electrical wheelchairs on board. Upon reviewing FOM 2.100 we asked operations and the ground crew as to the status of the wheelchair batteries.  We received conflicting information from the station and ground crew about the location of the batteries. I then asked the ramp crew to verify if the batteries where on the wheelchair or removed. They confirmed the batteries where removed. We then asked the 'A' FA if she was notified by the CSA. She said no. We asked her to find the guests and ask them where the batteries where for clarification. Per FOM 2.100 the CSA is to notify 'A'FA where the batteries are located. This was not done. In the flight deck report include where the batteries are located; cabin or cargo hold. Then there will be less confusion among all parties involved.
Upon receiving the close out and checking the flight deck report; the Captain and I discovered that we had wheelchair batteries onboard. We checked FOM 2.100 to learn more about the procedures. We inquired the station; ground team; and the A Flight Attendant as to where the batteries where located. The ground team said the batteries were disconnected and in the cargo compartment. The station said both batteries were in the cabin. The A Flight Attendant said she believed the batteries were in the cargo compartment. We had the A Flight Attendant inquire with the wheelchair guests as to the location of the batteries. She said the lithium battery was in the cabin and the dry or gel cell battery was in the cargo compartment. I inquired if the A Flight Attendant knew the location of the lithium battery as well as the location of laptop fire bag; the A Flight Attendant replied in the affirmative. Ready; Safe; Go. In the future; the CSA should verbally inform the A Flight Attendant and the CA of the batteries and their location. Additionally; the flight deck report should state one of the following 'Dry or Gell Cell Battery in Cabin;' 'Dry or Gell Cell Battery in Cargo;' 'Lithium Wheelchair Battery in Cabin;' or 'Lithium Wheelchair Battery in Cargo.' I believe this would decrease confusion in the future as it would provide more fidelity to the flight crew.
Commercial airline flight crew reported a communication breakdown regarding the transport of Lithium Ion and Dry Cell batteries; a violation of company Hazmat procedures.