NOTE:  Salem Fire Department's EMS Billing address has changed.  Send EMS and ambulance bills to:

Salem Fire Department
PO Box 547
Wheeling, IL 60090-0547

 The Salem Fire Department provides advanced emergency medical services to the City of Salem. These services include:

• Advanced Life Support
• Quick-response services
• Backup ambulance support

Salem Fire staff respond to most medical emergencies, providing patient assessment and treatment. In serious medical or trauma situations, firefighter-paramedics often take the lead in care and assist during hospital transport. Over 70 percent of the department’s calls are for medical emergencies.

Ambulance Service Transition

New Ambulance Services Starting July 1, 2025

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Salem Fire Department became the sole provider of ambulance services in the city, taking over from Falck Ambulance Northwest.

Since May 2024, a committee has been working to plan and oversee this transition to the Ambulance Operator Model, which was recommended by the Emergency Medical Services Valuation and Optimization Study conducted by AP Triton.

About the Ambulance Operator Model

The Ambulance Operator Model was designed to ensure Salem’s ambulance services remain sustainable. The model was developed based on:

• Expertise from AP Triton’s specialists
• Best practices for fire and emergency medical services

The model prioritizes the health and safety of Salem’s residents, the Fire Department and its staff.

Reasons for the Change

• Service Gaps
  • The previous ambulance provider, Falck Ambulance Northwest, could not meet required service hours.
• Costly Overtime
  • Since 2021, Salem Fire has spent $3.3 million in overtime to fill gaps in ambulance coverage.
• Funding Opportunities
  • As a public agency, the City will qualify for Ground Emergency Medical Transport funds, which will help subsidize Medicare payments.

This transition ensures that Salem’s residents will continue to receive reliable, high-quality emergency medical services.