Episode 46

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Published on:

3rd Jul 2025

Fire Chief David Gerboth on Salem’s Community Safety Innovation

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem!

In this episode, Jacob Espinoza and Eleanore Ryan sit down with Salem Fire Chief David Gerboth to discuss:

  • The major transition bringing Salem’s ambulance service back in-house with 60 new hires.
  • Plans for alternative service delivery to preserve resources for major emergencies.
  • Preparing for wildfire season and Fourth of July safety.
  • And much more!

Timestamps:

06:42 - Interview with Fire Chief David Gerboth begins

12:51 - The culture of compassion in emergency response

20:10 - Bringing ambulance service back to Salem Fire Department

26:00 - Recent train trestle fire

28:18 - Fourth of July safety and fireworks guidelines

34:13 - Eleanore's house fire story

42:00 - Community engagement and ride-along programs

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About the Podcast

What's Happening Salem
Your 20 Minute Salem, Oregon Weekly Update
Stay connected to your community with "What’s Happening Salem," your go-to podcast for all things Salem, Oregon. Every Friday morning, we bring you the latest news, events, and stories from the past week, keeping you informed and engaged with what's happening in your city. Whether it's local government updates, community events, or neighborhood highlights, "What’s Happening Salem" ensures you never miss a beat. Tune in weekly to stay in the know and be part of the vibrant Salem community.

About your host

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Jacob Espinoza