By Nance Beston
Columbia Basin Herald
EPHRATA, Wash. — Ephrata’s Fire Department continues to provide service with a volunteer-based model that Chief Jeremy Burns said delivers significant value to taxpayers, but department leaders told the Ephrata City Council last week that future EMS funding needs, rising apparatus costs and aging equipment remain ongoing concerns.
During an Oct. 13 budget workshop, Burns updated the council on staffing, recruitment, call volume, training accomplishments, insurance ratings and future funding challenges facing the department.
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The department currently consists of Burns, Deputy Chief Anthony Graf, Administrative Assistant Misty Fairchild and 32 volunteer firefighters. Burns said that number is slightly above the national average for volunteer departments.
One of the department’s goals has been increasing membership to 40 volunteers. While six recruits recently entered training, three have since left the program and three firefighters have retired or moved on.
“Our best marketing strategy is people that know firefighters or firefighters that know people and inviting them into the organization,” Burns said.
The department recently combined its recruit academy with Grant County Fire District 7, allowing both agencies to share training resources.
According to Burns, firefighters have responded to 513 calls so far this year and are expected to finish 2026 with between 510 and 520 calls. Approximately 85% of those calls are EMS-related.
Burns highlighted several certifications earned by department members over the past year, including Firefighter I and Firefighter II certifications, instructor certifications and public fire educator endorsements.
The department also recognized several volunteers for their service, including Capt. Jake Pierce, Katie Smithson and Emily Grass.
Volunteer firefighters remain the foundation of the agency, Burns said.
“Volunteer firefighters make up more than 70% of the nation’s fire service, but they’re able to save taxpayers $137 billion per year,” Burns told council members.
One of the discussions centered on emergency medical services funding.
Lifeline Ambulance, which began operating out of the fire station in 2023, recently signed a contract extension through 2030. The city currently budgets approximately $105,000 annually for the service, though Burns said city leaders need to begin looking at long-term funding options.
“We need to pull all of the financials of what it really costs, not just our contract, but what it costs for our ambulance, our people, our training, our supplies and all that,” Burns said.
The department outlined several possible funding mechanisms, including continued support through the city’s general fund, a voter-approved EMS levy or an EMS utility similar to systems already used in communities such as Moses Lake, Richland and Pasco.
Burns said dedicated funding could help reduce pressure on the city’s general fund, where ambulance services compete with other priorities such as parks, street maintenance and other city services.
“The concern is that at some point those general fund dollars are going to be competing for street maintenance,” Burns said. “It already does.”
Council members also discussed whether hiring a consultant to study EMS funding options would be worthwhile. Burns said several neighboring agencies have used consultants to evaluate long-term public safety funding needs.
The department also reported positive news regarding its Washington Survey and Rating Bureau evaluation.
Ephrata currently holds a Class 5 fire protection rating. Burns said the department believes it may improve that standing when the final evaluation is completed, thanks in part to training improvements, documentation efforts and additional certifications earned by staff and volunteers.
“We’re still providing a pretty good job given our limitations on personnel and staffing,” Burns said. “We have good response and we do a good job with that.”
However, the review also identified several areas where additional staffing could improve scores, including plan review, fire investigations, inspections, public education and equipment testing.
Equipment replacement remains another concern.
Burns told council members that fire apparatus costs have increased dramatically in recent years. The city’s newest fire engine cost roughly $850,000, compared to approximately $425,000 for a similar truck purchased less than a decade ago.
“Apparatus have increased anywhere from 60 to 80 percent,” Burns said.
The department is also working to keep its ladder truck in service after multiple mechanical failures over the past year. Although repairs have returned the apparatus to service, the truck remains scheduled for replacement in 2033, though department leaders hope to extend its life until 2035.
Another item on the department’s wish list is replacing a backup generator that dates to 1958. Burns said the aging generator often requires jumper cables to start and currently powers only a limited portion of the station during outages.
Burns said the department remains focused on maintaining service levels while preparing for future challenges.
“We’re still providing a pretty good job,” Burns said. “Given our limitations on personnel and staffing, we have good response and we do a good job with that.”
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