01/21/2026
This year marks 50 years of ambulance service to the communities of North Salem and Eel River Township, a half-century of neighbors answering the call when it mattered most.
The need for a volunteer ambulance service emerged in the mid-1970s when local funeral homes, including Perkins Funeral Homes in Roachdale and Ladoga, announced they would no longer provide ambulance runs. Also with Porter's Funeral Home in North Salem stepping away from the ambulance business, there were suddenly no ambulance services within 10 miles, leaving rural residents without timely emergency medical care.
In response, three fire departments (Roachdale Vol Fire Department, Ladoga Fire Department, & North Salem Fire Department) united to form a Tri-County ambulance service, PMH Ambulance Service (Putnam, Montgomery, and Hendricks), which operated Squads 1, 2, and 3. North Salem proudly served as PMH Squad 3, delivering emergency medical services across county lines and establishing a regional model built on cooperation, dedication, and volunteer service.
Today, North Salem Fire Department no longer operates as PMH Squad 3, but the mission continues stronger than ever. Our department now owns and operates its own ambulance (Ambulance 181), focused primarily on serving North Salem and the surrounding community, carrying forward the same goal, commitment to excellence, and proud tradition of service that began in 1976.
From medical emergencies and motor vehicle crashes to farm incidents and everyday calls for help, our crews meet people on some of the worst days of their lives and work every day to make a difference in their lives. Fifty years of volunteer ambulance service is not just a milestone; it is a legacy of pride, professionalism, and community commitment that we are honored to continue.
