Latest news with #EphrataFireDepartment
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Grant Co. celebrates courage and community at Chief for a Day
Jun. 12—EPHRATA — Laughter filled the air and smiles shone brightly Thursday as Grant County honored 11 exceptional children during the annual Chief for a Day celebration. "Seeing the excitement and happiness on their faces is heartwarming," said Kyle Foreman, Public Information Officer for the Grant County Sheriff's Office. The cherished event, now in its 21st year, transforms young residents, some battling significant medical challenges, into honorary chiefs for a day. As local law enforcement and fire department personnel rallied around them, the children took center stage in a celebration that embodies community spirit and resilience. The festivities commenced with a motorcade featuring lights and sirens, escorting the young chiefs from local schools to the Grant County Courthouse. Participants vividly remember the joy radiating from the faces of the children as they arrived at the venue. The event aims to create a memorable day where families can momentarily set aside their struggles and delight in the spirit of celebration, Foreman said. The 11 honorary chiefs included Aiden Kane, 11, made sheriff for the day; Nayelli Lopez, 15, the Ephrata Fire Department's chief; Brandon Martin Arredondo, 9, chief for Warden Police Department; Adam Torres, 6, chief of the Quincy Police Department; Bryan Cedillo, 7, chief of the Royal City Police Department; Bryan Reyes-Cervantes, 11, honored by Grant County Fire District 3; Elijah Basilio, 8, the chief for Washington State Patrol; Hunter Kennedy, 9, from the Moses Lake Police Department; Preston Thomas, 5, the chief for Grant County Fire District 5; Grant Williams, 10, from the Ephrata Police Department; and Adrian Aguinaga, 12, with the Moses Lake Fire Department. "This event is all about giving the families and the children a memorable day," Foreman said. "The joy and connection to the community that these kids experience is invaluable." Each child presented a colorful biography detailing their aspirations for their new role, personal interests and favorite heroes. For example, young Sheriff Aiden Kane named his first objective as "to eat snacks," a sentiment praised by Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete, who admitted, "I can relate to that." The ceremony included heartfelt speeches and an emotional oath-taking led by Grant County Court Judges, legitimizing the honorary roles of the newly appointed chiefs. The children proudly recited their vows, promising to be brave, honest, respectful and, above all, to have fun. The genuine pride displayed by each young chief as they donned their uniforms and badges was evident. "This day is not just about fun; it serves as an important recognition that children with special needs are valued in our community," said Warden Police Chief Rick Martin. "Every child selected has a unique story, helping them understand they are not alone in their challenges." The reactions from the young chiefs, including Nayelli Lopez, who expressed her excitement to wear a fire helmet, and Hunter Kennedy, whose first act as chief was to meet the K-9s, encapsulated the heartwarming nature of the day. As Bryan Reyes-Cervantes said, "I want to take my crew to lunch!" The day not only served as an event for celebration but also as a reminder of the strength and resilience exhibited by children facing considerable health challenges, Foreman said. "Together, we can truly make a difference," Kriete said.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ephrata area fire damages about 26 acres Thursday
May 31—EPHRATA — On Thursday at around 4:30 p.m., Grant County Fire District 13 was called out to a fire in the 12000 block of Road B.6 Northwest. The fire started as a controlled burn, but because of the winds, it quickly became uncontrolled. "It was a prime example of a control burn getting out of control," GCFD13 Chief Jim Stucky said. "I do not know the actual details. But he probably thought, just like everybody else, 'it's a very slight breeze, I can keep this contained.' Then next thing you know, just a little puff of wind just takes an ember somewhere. That's the way it goes and then they can't catch it, and we get called out." The blaze burned around 25 acres of land before it was contained at around 5:30 p.m., according to Stucky. Crews from GCFD13, Grant County Fire District 5 and Ephrata Fire Department stayed on scene until about 8 p.m. to complete mop-up. Between the three departments, they had around nine trucks managing the fire. "But then there's a couple hours of mopping up. We have to try to cool everything down," he said. "We had to get it out because we knew it was a windy night. Fortunately, it didn't come back overnight." No injuries or structural damage occurred because of the fire; however, some rangeland was damaged and GCFD13 popped a tire on one of the department's vehicles. "If there's even the slightest wind, don't burn, please," Stucky said. "We're just kind of getting a bunch of these fires that don't need to happen." Stucky wants to remind people that the burn ban will be in effect beginning Sunday, which means no fires are allowed within Grant County limits. "No more burning after June 1," Stucky said. "You can really damage property, hurt people and get fines if you decide to burn. Please be careful with any firepits, if that's something you decide to do and keep water nearby in case it decides to spread. Fire is unpredictable and we need to be careful with hotter, drier days coming ahead."
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.
