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Ephrata Public Safety Committee reviews winter-storm response and agency updates
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting, the Ephrata Public Safety Committee received reports on winter-storm response, fire company operations, the police "Excellence in Policing" report and the Civil Service Commission's 2025 annual report; the agenda was approved as amended.
The Ephrata Public Safety Committee met Feb. 17, 2026, at Ephrata Borough Hall and received updates from emergency management and local public-safety agencies.
Manager Randy Gockley of the Office of Emergency Management reported that winter storm "Fern" was a serious weather event that prompted significant cooperation among emergency responders and noted a county fire organization has procured a new fire-safety trailer. Gockley also notified the committee that a radiological decontamination exercise at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital is scheduled for Oct. 13, 2026.
Chief Rich Gehman of the Lincoln Fire Company and Deputy Chief Bill Rockey of the Pioneer Fire Company provided brief operational updates to the committee. The report summarizes that both fire companies reviewed recent activity and developments; specific operational figures or requests were not specified in the meeting minutes.
Chief McKim reviewed the police department's January "Excellence in Policing" report and presented the Civil Service Commission's annual report for 2025 to the committee. The committee record lists these items as presented but does not include further details about recommended policy changes, staffing actions, or specific performance metrics in the excerpted text.
Procedurally, Chief McKim confirmed the meeting agenda was posted at least 24 hours in advance and disclosed two additions made after posting: an update from the Friends of the Ephrata Police Foundation and a briefing on a protest. Vice Chair Aronson moved to approve the amended agenda, Mr. Barr seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously. The committee recorded no formal action items under the Action Items section. The agenda also listed an old-business item titled "Fire Tax Discussion," but the provided excerpt contains no details on proposals or outcomes.
