Fire department response times will get worse as call volume continues to rise, chief says 

The Salem Fire Department’s new ambulance system is meeting its target for timely response to emergency medical calls, but the department is struggling to get fire engines out as quickly as needed.

That’s according to Salem Fire Chief David Gerboth who briefed Salem city councilors last week on the status of his department, saying firefighters are often stretched thin as call volumes have grown faster than the department’s staffing.

Salem’s population has increased 17% since…