RICHARD OLSEN

NEW SALEM EMERGENCY DIRECTOR 219-9083

New Salem has an Emergency Director that helps the city coordinate emergency services during diasters.  He works directly with the City of New Salem, Morton County Sherrif's Department, New Salem Ambulance Service and Morton County Emergency Managers to help any disaster or major emergency run smoothly.  If you have any questions or concerns about a potential or ongoing disaster inthe New Salem area please call Ricci Olsen at 219-9083 or the Ctiy Auditor at 527-6969.  Or in the case of an emergency always contact 911.

New Salem Volunteer Ambulance Service

New Salem Volunteer Ambulance Service

Founded forty years ago, in March 1968, by Tex Goyne, the New Salem Volunteer Ambulance Service has come a long way! It started with a used station wagon as an ambulance obtained from the Forestry Service and had an oxygen tank and a stretcher. Today the service has two fully equipped Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances purchased with the generous donations of the local community, a 2003 7.3 liter diesel and a 1998 7.3 liter diesel. During late 2008 and early 2009 the service constructed and now occupies a 2000 sq. ft. dual bay facility located northwest of the City Auditorium, again all made possible by the generous donations of the local community.

Today this service is staffed by nationally certified Emergency Medical Technicans: three Paramedics (EMT-P), four Intermediates (EMT-I) and sixteen Basics (EMT-B). In addition, six First Responders and four CPR certified drivers assist with the 24-hour 7-day per week BLS coverage provided to the approximately 720 square miles in the service area.

The ambulance squad is capable of training in-house to the EMT-I level with its two certified training officers and has five certified American Heart Association CPR instructors, allowing for easier access to training than in the past years. Through the volunteer help of many people and the donations of the residents of the New Salem area, New Salem has an Ambulance Service it can be proud of.

Anyone wishing to volunteer with this community organization may contact any of the 2010-2012 slate of officers for an application: President Rolland Larson ( (843-7781), Squad Leader Donna Bumann (843-7030), Secretary Diane Doll (843-7416), Treasure Margi Engelter (843-8743), Training Officer Steve Vilness (843-8297), or Scheduling Officer Deb Anderson (220-0781).