Ephrata approves changes to new fire truck order

EPHRATA — Ephrata’s new fire truck is seeing a bit of a delay and will cost about $74,000 more than initially anticipated due to multiple factors, Ephrata Fire Chief Jeremy Burns said. “It’s about $64,000 for engine, transmission and driveline and there’s another dozen components besides the engine and transmission,” he said. Another $10,000 in change orders to the fire engine have been submitted that will accommodate specific needs the Ephrata Fire Department has, Burns said. The change orders and other complications such as supply lines have delayed the overall process. The most recent change comes as the engine selected to power the truck – a 380-horsepower motor – is no longer produced by the manufacturer, Cummins. That model is no longer produced due to federal emissions requirements. However, a higher-horsepower motor – churning out up to 500 horsepower – will operate some of the fire engine’s secondary equipment such as pumps better, Burns said.