EPHRATA — As the Ephrata Fire Department begins a new year, 2024 proved to be a transformative period, according to Chief Jeremy Burns. The department saw significant achievements in operational efficiency, community engagement and volunteer involvement. Burns talked about the department's accomplishments over the past year and outlined goals for 2025. 

One of the most notable successes for the EFD in 2024 was its partnership with Lifeline Ambulance, which significantly optimized emergency response, according to Burns.  

“Our partnership with Lifeline Ambulance has lowered our EMS calls by over 100,” he said. 

This drop in call volume can be attributed to Lifeline's role as the primary emergency medical services provider in Ephrata, according to Burns. As a result, the fire department was able to concentrate on higher-tier calls — such as cardiac events and severe medical emergencies — while Lifeline handled routine calls.  

In total, EFD responded to 439 calls throughout the year, a decrease from 587 in 2023. 

Additionally, a significant accomplishment for the EFD was its swift response to a high-profile incident in May.  

“We had an arson case that was mitigated very quickly, and just last week we saw a conviction in that case,” Burns said. 

Burns said the arson case shows the importance of collaboration with local law enforcement and the prosecutor's office, which he said played critical roles in ensuring justice and safety in the community. 

Moreover, the department placed a strong emphasis on the professional development of its volunteers and paid staff. Throughout the year, many members engaged in training to obtain national certifications ranging from basic firefighter ranks to fire officer certifications.

“All that strengthens the core of the fire department and the services that we can better provide to the community,” Burns said.  

Despite the challenges faced by fire departments across the nation due to dwindling volunteer numbers, Ephrata has managed to maintain a robust volunteer workforce, according to Burns.  

“We feel really blessed with the amount of participation that we have… our culture is very inclusive,” he said. “This environment fosters growth and allows volunteers — often leaders in their respective fields — to develop their skills while serving their community.” 

In recognition of these efforts, the EFD is set to host an awards banquet to honor standout individuals within the department. The Columbia Basin Herald will have follow-up coverage on the event.  

“We have a firefighter of the year, chief’s awards, and the James Lewis award for service,” Burns said.  

As the EFD transitions into 2025, Burns has outlined key objectives aimed at continuing the department's positive momentum. The primary focus will remain on sustaining and enhancing volunteer recruitment and retention efforts. According to Burns, over 70% of the U.S. fire service being volunteer firefighters, this challenge is paramount.  

“We provide them with a skill set of training and the opportunity to grow … that’s our success,” he said.  

Furthermore, the arrival of a new fire engine in September 2025 marks a significant milestone for the EFD, according to Burns. This fire engine was purchased over a year ago through careful financial planning, allowing the department to enhance its operational capabilities without incurring debt.   

“This vehicle has already been paid for … we continue to add to our equipment reserves for our next replacement in 2032,” he said. 

"We feel blessed by the individuals down here,” Burns said, expressing profound appreciation for his team’s dedication. He said the commitment to ongoing training, community response and volunteerism will remain at the forefront as the Ephrata Fire Department forges ahead into 2025. 

“Whether it's a general fire alarm or a working structure fire — the amount of people that continue to show up for what we would consider our routine calls is always amazing to me,” Baker said. “And the amount of training that's going on the weekends with a group of individuals that are seeking better certifications and more certification, and the people that are willing to give their time to train them has been amazing in the last year. I'm very appreciative of that and feel very blessed to be the leader of this organization.” 

    The Ephrata Fire Department assisted with putting out an arson-caused structure fire at the Ephrata Sports Complex May 7, 2024. Ephrata Fire Department Chief Jeremy Burns said the arson cases are particularly frustrating because they put his volunteer firefighters in unnecessary danger.