Salem Fire and Rescue to be first responders to Hillsboro

Salem Fire and Rescue will be first responders to Hillsboro after Hillsboro's Emergency Management Services announced they were disbanding last week.

Steve Nichting, chief of Salem Fire and Rescue, said that Hillsboro's EMS had only two members, which was not enough to keep the volunteer operation viable. Nichting said Salem was already responding to all Hillsboro calls, and this will not increase their workload.

Kelli Zachmeyer, formerly with Hillsboro EMS, will be added to Salem's Fire Department.

Nichting said it's difficult for volunteers to respond to pages during the day, especially out of town. Having a volunteer already located in Hillsboro who can meet Salem first responders at the scene will be helpful.

Nichting also presented a budget proposal to the city council on Tuesday.

Salem Fire and Rescue needs a new self contained breathing apparatus' (SCBA) for the 20 volunteers with the department. Each SCBA is approximately $3,480.

The department also needs a replacement for their airpack maintenance and compressor, also known as a SCBA fill station. The cost for a replacement is $2,000.

The department needs new tires on two trucks, which is about $3,000. Firetruck tires last seven years, according to DOT regulations. Salem's fire truck's tires are 14 years old, Nichting said.

'They don't look bad,” he said.

City counselor Chuck Kramer assured Nichting, 'You won't be driving on bald tires.”

The council, however, postponed making any decisions about Salem Fire and Rescue's budget until they had a clearer understanding of it, city counselor Mary Hoyer said.

The next Salem City Council meeting is Tuesday, April 2, at 5:30 p.m.