The Salem Fire Protection District covers approximately 125 square miles of Marion County, Illinois, including the City of Salem, protecting approximately 12,000 residents, businesses and industry. We protect about 13.5 miles of Interstate 57 from mile marker 109 at Illinois 161 to mile marker 122.5 at the Martin Road overpass. Additionally, the SFPD protects many square miles of agribusiness, agricultural activities and more than 16 square miles of oilfield. The SFPD provides fire suppression, rescue, auto extrication and hazardous materials mitigation.

 
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Fire Protection

The Salem Fire Protection District provides fire protection and suppression services to the nearly 12,000 residents of the district utilizing the following apparatus:

  • 4 - Class A Engines

  • 1 - 95’ Aerial Platform

  • 1 - Heavy Rescue

  • 5 - Brush / Utility Vehicles

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Training & Squibb Training Center

The Salem Fire Protection District holds regular weekly training on Tuesday evenings and Friday mornings. Additionally, the SFPD has frequent opportunities for weekend training sponsored locally and in cooperation with the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute.

In 2024, SFPD firefighters participated in 4,747 certified training hours for an average of 132 hours per member.

The Squibb Training Center is located on Selmaville Road on the West side of the district.

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Rescue, Extrication and Hazardous Materials

In addition to fire protection and suppression, the SFPD is trained in and performs vehicle extrication, hazardous material mitigation, grain bin, rope and other rescue services.

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Firefighters

The heart and soul of the SFPD are the members, both past and present. The SFPD employs four full-time career Engineers. The Engineers staff the station, maintain the apparatus, equipment and station. The Engineers respond the first due apparatus to all calls. In addition to the Engineers, the SFPD employs more than 40 paid-on-call firefighters and officers. The Board of Trustees all have firefighting experience and worked their way up through the ranks to include Fire Chief and a former Illinois State Fire Marshal. Retired fire fighters, engineers and officers frequently stop by the fire station for a cup of coffee and to share an interesting lesson in firefighting lore.

Salem Illinois is located at the intersection of Interstate 57 and US Route 50. Salem is the county seat of Marion County Illinois. Salem is 60 miles East of St. Louis Missouri and 265 miles South of Chicago Illinois.