Salem city councilors authorize hiring 60 new medics to prepare for ambulance takeover 

On Monday, Salem city councilors unanimously voted to authorize the hiring, training and onboarding of 60-full-time medics and support workers in preparation for the city’s takeover of Salem’s ambulance services from private provider Falck. 

City councilors also authorized an internal loan of $6.1 million to pay for ambulances and other equipment and to hire a full-time employee to facilitate the hiring and onboarding of the new employees.

Mayor Chris Hoy was absent on Monday.

The…