Rapid Engagement, Assessment & Community Health (REACH) is a new pilot program launched by the City of Salem and Marion County launched in mid-January 2026. REACH includes a Salem Fire Department paramedic, EMT with a Marion County mental health professional.

What do we expect?

  • More timely, appropriate care for individuals experiencing behavioral health or substance use crises.

  • More people will get connected to services (such as shelter, addiction center, mental health providers)

  • Fewer repeat calls from individuals who make frequent emergency calls.

  • Free up fire companies and ambulances for other emergencies

  • Cost savings throughout the system resulting from avoided emergency room visits, ambulance transports, and hospital admissions.

Our Mission

The mission of the REACH Team is to quickly engage individuals in crisis, provide advanced life support treatment when necessary, conduct comprehensive field assessments, and connect patients to appropriate community health, substance use, and social resources. By doing so, the program aims to improve the quality of care and health outcomes while preserving emergency response capacity.

Program Goals

The REACH Team is designed to:

  • Improve outcomes for individuals in crisis
  • Reduce repeat emergency calls
  • Limit unnecessary emergency department visits
  • Ensure 911 resources remain available for true emergencies

The program emphasizes relationship-based care, system navigation, and follow-up, addressing the root causes of crises rather than just treating symptoms.

A Flexible and Evolving Pilot Program

As a pilot program, REACH is intentionally designed to evolve based on data, outcomes, and community needs. Future developments may include:

  • Refined deployment criteria
  • Expanded hours or service coverage
  • Stronger partnerships with community providers
  • Enhanced follow-up capabilities

This measured approach ensures the program can thoughtfully adapt, scale responsibly, and remain aligned with the changing needs of the Salem community.

Team Composition and Responsibilities

The REACH Team is a multidisciplinary unit consisting of:

  • A Salem Fire Department Paramedic
  • An EMT-Basic
  • A Marion County Behavioral Health Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA)

Core Responsibilities

The team’s primary responsibilities include:

  • Conducting on-scene medical, behavioral health, and substance use assessments
  • Providing crisis stabilization and de-escalation
  • Making clinical decisions regarding treatment
  • Issuing referrals to appropriate resources
  • Managing escalation and ensuring safety