West Virginia State Firemen's Association

It is with great sorrow that I must announce the death of 27 year old Boone County Ambulance Authority Paramedic and Spruce River Volunteer Firefighter Sarah Nodurft. While on duty with the BCAA on January 25 2012, Sarah died suddenly of an as-yet unknown medical problem. Sarah was an energetic and very likeable individual that served her community with pride. A member of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, WV #3, Sarah was an avid motorcyclist with a cross-country, coast-to-coast motorcycle trip under her belt, she was one of the most active motorcyclists in the club.

Funeral arrangements are to be announced.

The Red Knights are planning to ride in her honor.

The West Virginia State Auditors Office was empowered by the West Virginia Legislature in
2011 to implement and administer H.B. 3271 (The Volunteer Fire Department Workers’
Compensation Premium Subsidy Program). The Auditor assembled a cross functional work
team made up of representatives from his office, the Office of the State Insurance
Commissioner, the National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc., and the WV State Fire
Marshal. This team developed:

~ Administrative parameters
1 Data processing requirements

1 Communication strategy

The team completed the development in June 2011 with the launch of a new page on the State
Auditor’s website, which provided the information and requisite documentation to assist
volunteer fire departments in acquiring Workers’ Compensation Premium Subsidy. Subsidy
requests began to arrive in early July 2011.

To date, ofthe 416 state volunteer fire departments, 288 have applied for the subsidy. Of that
group, 264 have been processed (the difference being work-in-process). Subsidy payments
currently total $1,267,139.05. The average payout has been $4,399.79.

All payments described are based on Initial Estimated Premiums. The actual Workers’
Compensation Premium for an individual volunteer fire department will not be known until the
tinal audit is completed (estimated at 15 months after the initial date ofthe policy). The result of
the final audit can result in another payment due to the carrier or a refund to the volunteer fire
department dependent on the actual number of hours worked by those individuals within the
771 ‘l class code (fireñghterldriver).

Download the PDF Document

Please help support the Raleigh County Fire Levy that is coming up on their ballots.

Here’s an image you may link to or copy to your Facebook Page.

www.rcffa.net for more information.

To link to this image, copy/paste this link: http://www.bcffmaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/support_raleigh_fire_levy-300×225.jpg
Thanks!

/john

Legislative Reception:

Feb 7 @ 5pm-9pm Beni Kedem Shrine (Next to Fifth Quarter Restaurant) Quarrier Street, Charleston WV.

Refreshments will be provided.

–

Firefighter Day at the Legislature, Feb 8 2012 @ Capitol Rotunda, 9am

Officers of the WVSFA will be on hand to go over agenda items.

Of note:

• Recruitment and Retention
• Legislative Rules for the State Fire Commission
• Restructuring of existing volunteer fire department State Code Items
• Training & Safety

WVSFA Legislative News

By: John Holstein, WVSFA 3rd VP, Legislative Committee and Publicity Chair

1/12/2012

President Oldaker and approximately 20 members of the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association were on-hand for Governor Tomblin’s State of the State Address on Wednesday (Jan 11) in the House Chambers of the West Virginia State Capitol. Some of the issues discussed with the Governor and Law Makers were pointed toward recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters, the on going struggle with volunteer departments and their workers compensation coverage issues and firefighter training.

Encouraging words were spoken to WVSFA representatives by members of both Houses of the Legislature. Law makers seem to understand the increased pressure volunteers are under concerning dwindling roster numbers.

Doug Estep of Morrisvale VFD summarized our plight very succinctly: “…the real worry isn’t when we [the volunteer firefighters] show up to the Capitol by the hundreds. You [the Governor] should be worried when there’s just a hand full of us here.” Since 2005, it’s been estimated that as many as 2500 volunteer firefighters have left the service. This is an estimated 20% decrease in the number of participating volunteer firefighters across the State of West Virginia. This number corresponds with National figures, showing an overall decrease in the number of volunteer firefighters and the drop in the number of volunteers for many other organizations.

In the State of West Virginia, volunteer fire departments make up approximately 94% of the fire departments in the state. Of which, approximately 80% of the State’s population is covered by volunteers. The delegates and senators have acknowledged their understanding of our drop in numbers. In recent years, efforts were started, left uncompleted, toward initiating plans for increasing the volunteerism (overall) in the State. During a discussion with former Governor Manchin, now Senator Manchin stated “…volunteering in our communities is extremely important. We must increase the number of volunteers for all of our organizations. It’s important to our families and it’s important to our State.”

During the upcoming Legislative session, important issues such as firefighter training, recruitment & retention and worker compensation will dominate our efforts. Through the hard work and determination of the Legislative committee of the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association during the 2011 Legislative Session and negotiations with the Governor’s office, law makers and the Executive branch were both able to fund our workers compensation needs with 2.5 million dollars each for a total of 5 million dollars. This money, being overseen by Auditor Glenn Gainer’s office, has allowed the increase in worker’s compensation premiums to be offset so that volunteer fire departments are able to keep their doors open.

Auditor Gainer, a staunch advocate of volunteer fire departments, was on hand last night to discuss several pressing issues. Auditor Gainer was well versed in our struggles and noted the need for an easier way for firefighters to get the training they need in order to safely perform their duties. “…the 5 million dollars obtained during last session has been a blessing.” He further stated that he understands that the firefighters must go back to the Legislature and ask for that money again. “…we need a permanent solution.”