Latest news with #JeremyBurns
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ephrata Fire Department named 2025 Volunteer Fire House of the Year
May 21—EPHRATA — The Ephrata Fire Department has been awarded the title of "Volunteer Fire House of the Year" for 2025 by the Washington State Firefighters Association, significant recognition for the primarily volunteer-based team. "This award is very rewarding for me, our department, and our members," said Fire Chief Jeremy Burns. "Our fire department relies heavily on volunteers—only two of us are career staff. Without their time, effort and commitment to our community, we wouldn't be much." This is the first time the department has won the award, according to Burns. The Ephrata Fire Department boasts a roster of 33 volunteer firefighters, many of whom juggle their service with full-time jobs in various fields, including two members who also serve in the National Guard. One of these volunteers played a crucial role in a recent mental health crisis intervention, helping safely negotiate an individual down from a grain silo after nearly three hours of communication. "Their commitment to community protection and service is commendable," Burns said. "These individuals double volunteer their time for the defense of our communities and our nation. They truly are excellent individuals who show remarkable dedication." The department has actively engaged with the Ephrata community through various events, Burns said, including the Sage and Sun Festival, Touch-a-Truck and Trunk or Treat events. The volunteers also conduct fire prevention programs for local schools, reaching preschool through fourth-grade students. According to the Washington State Firefighters Association's official statement, "Ephrata Fire Department Volunteers can be found consistently giving back to their community." In addition to community engagement, the Ephrata Fire Department has shown remarkable growth in training and skill development. In 2024 alone, the department's volunteers successfully obtained 39 IFSAC certifications in areas including Firefighter 1 and 2, Hazardous Materials Awareness, and Driver Operator. Furthermore, Ephrata hosted two Fire Academies that included participation from local agencies, resulting in over 2,000 hours of fire and EMS training. "We have a great camaraderie among our volunteers. Their spirit and enthusiasm for helping our community are key to our success in recruiting and retaining members," Burns said. Burns said its dedicated volunteers continue to demonstrate that passion and commitment can make a real difference in public safety and community building. "We have just a great group of people that are there for all the right reasons, and that's to serve their community and continue to build their skill set so they're better prepared for the next response," Burns said.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Touch a Truck event supports Ephrata Food Bank
May 19—EPHRATA — The Ephrata Fire Department's annual "Touch a Truck" event Saturday drew a crowd despite early rain showers, as community members visited the Splash Zone parking lot to engage with a variety of large vehicles. The event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., served as both a fun outing for families and a fundraiser for the Ephrata Food Bank. Fire Chief Jeremy Burns said he was satisfied with the turnout. "I was a little worried that attendance wouldn't be as high this year with the weather that we had this morning, but it exceeded my expectations greatly," Burns said. "It takes a lot of agencies to commit their time, people and equipment to this event, and seeing the community come out is always rewarding." The participation of various local agencies contributed to the vibrant atmosphere of the event. "We had the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Ephrata Police Department, and numerous fire districts, including Grant County Fire Districts 3, 7 and 13," Burns said. "It's a great collaborative effort that truly showcases the strength of our community." While the event's primary goal is to allow children and families to explore emergency vehicles up close, it also played a crucial role in supporting the Ephrata Food Bank this year. "Every bit helps the food bank, and our Firefighters Association often matches the monetary donations we receive," Burns said. "Today, we've also had school district partners collecting supplies, which has been great." The food bank, a resource for families facing food insecurity in the Ephrata community, struggles with dwindling supplies amid increased demand. Director Phyllis Fuglie shared the challenges the food bank currently faces. "We could traditionally provide two types of meat per family, but now we are down to one. The need is significant, and we are calling on the community for donations, particularly for protein-rich foods, canned goods, and essentials," she said in a recent interview. The relationship between the food bank and community events like "Touch a Truck" is critical, according to Ephrata Mayor Bruce Reim. "We support the food bank wholeheartedly. It's a great program that is always in need," Reim said. "Events like this play an essential role in making sure the community understands the importance of supporting local resources. It is also fun to see all of the kids enjoying themselves. This is one of our best events every year." Despite the earlier adverse weather conditions, the turnout was impressive, reaching an estimated 2,500 attendees, according to Burns. "It's always good to see the interaction between families and young kids enjoying the vehicles," Burns said. "It's exciting to witness how many people take the time to come out and appreciate our emergency services." For families, the event is both entertaining and educational. In addition to being able to touch a variety of trucks, attendees participated in activities like temporary tattoos and fire prevention information tables. A dedicated sensory-sensitive hour provided a more comfortable environment for children with sensory processing challenges, enabling them to enjoy the festivities without overwhelming stimuli. Burns reflected on the event's history and growth over the years. "We've been hosting Touch a Truck for about a decade now, and it always reinforces the spirit of the community," Burns said. "It's remarkable to see everyone converge here for a common purpose: to learn and to help those in need." The success of "Touch a Truck" relies on community participation and support, which for Ephrata continues to grow year after year. "It just keeps getting bigger and bigger by leaps and bounds," Reim said. "We're thrilled with the growth and the involvement of outside organizations." As the day concluded, hopes remained high for the future of both the event and the Ephrata Food Bank. The community's generous donations are more crucial than ever, ensuring that the food bank can continue to meet the needs of families in the area. With hands-on learning opportunities and joyous interactions among attendees, "Touch a Truck" positively impacts the Ephrata community beyond the day itself. Those wishing to help the Ephrata Food Bank can drop off donations during Mondays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. or involve themselves in ongoing events that benefit local families in need. Ephrata Food Bank 1010 A St. SE 509-754-5772 Monday and Thursday 2-4 p.m. Biggest needs: Protein: meat, peanut butter, protein bars, nuts, beans Pasta Soups Microwavable meals Fresh produce All food donations or cash welcomed and appreciated.
