SALEM, OR — Marion County Health & Human Services (MCHHS) and the Salem Fire Department officially launched the Rapid Engagement, Assessment & Community Health (REACH) team yesterday morning at a joint press conference at Salem Fire Station 1. Starting January 20, residents may see new REACH vehicles on Salem’s streets as the data-driven pilot program begins responding to eligible community calls.

REACH was created to address the growing number of 911 calls driven by behavioral health, substance use, and other complex social needs. The team pairs a Marion County Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) with a Salem Fire paramedic and EMT to reach people in the field with early engagement, on-scene assessment, immediate support, and connection to services. REACH is dispatched through 911, and 911 operators will determine the most appropriate response, which will now include the REACH team. The program also complements the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, offering another pathway for residents experiencing behavioral health crises to access timely support.

“REACH builds on the work already underway through our Behavioral Health Crisis Center mobile response programs,” said Commissioner Danielle Bethell, who spoke at the event. “By integrating with Salem Fire, we can respond more effectively in the moment and connect people to the services that support longer-term stability.”

This approach is intended to:

• Improve outcomes for community members in crisis

• Reduce unnecessary emergency room referrals

• Help keep Fire and EMS crews available for the most serious emergencies

The REACH pilot will operate for six months, during which Marion County and the City of Salem will track key metrics, including reductions in repeat 911 calls, successful navigation of residents to stabilizing services, and decreased strain on law enforcement and emergency departments.

REACH builds on Marion County’s Behavioral Health Crisis Center (BHCC) mobile response programs, which bring crisis support directly to people in the community and connect individuals and families to stabilizing services.

REACH is part of the City of Salem’s Safe, Clean and Healthy Initiative, funded in October 2025 to enhance safety, cleanliness, and health in downtown and northeast Salem. These areas experience higher volumes of emergency response calls.