Category Fire
One person at a time, new team eases homelessness, crises on Salem’s streets
SPECIAL REPORT: Following a push by city officials to address homelessness, a new team is connecting with people in crisis on Salem's streets. Results are encouraging, officials say. Salem Reporter got an exclusive look at the team, shadowing its members over two days.
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Local fire agencies partner to give safety advice ahead of wildfire season
A wildfire preparedness meeting on Monday, May 18, will teach people how to clear space outside their homes to reduce fire risk and keep up with information during an emergency. Fire agencies from Salem, Keizer and Marion County will lead the meeting.
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Oregon faces longer fire season due to historic heat, drought, fire experts warn
Oregonians need to be proactive about protecting themselves and their properties from wildfire and behave far more cautiously when starting campfires or burning debris than in recent years, state fire officials advised.
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Oregon appeals court hands big victory to PacifiCorp in wildfire class action suit
The Oregon Court of Appeals effectively reversed over $1 billion in damage awards to victims in Oregon's 2020 wildfires.
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City testing new AI dispatch system to handle non-emergency calls
A new automated system is taking some non-emergency calls at the Willamette Valley Communications Center as a way to relieve overworked dispatch center staff, and provide faster service for callers. Humans will still be answering emergency calls.
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5 takeaways: Salem’s new ambulance system financially stable, more reliable, after 6 months
Salem Fire Chief David Gerboth told Salem city councilors Monday that the city’s new ambulance system is both financially and operationally healthy with improved service and stable revenues.
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CITY MEETING: Council approves adding four ambulance workers to fire department
The Salem City Council will consider authorizing four more full-time ambulance workers for the fire department to help address strain on the city’s ambulance system as call volumes rise.
Salem launches REACH Team to respond to mental health, substance crises
Salem launched a new response team called REACH to handle 911 calls involving mental health crises and substance use – without relying solely on police or fire crews. Staffed by a paramedic, EMT and Marion County mental health professional, the team is part of a six-month pilot to de-escalate crises, connect people to services and reduce repeat emergency calls.
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No more federal income tax relief for wildfire survivors after Congress fails to extend exemption
Congress failed to vote on an extension of the 2024 Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act that was co-sponsored by Oregon’s U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden.