West Virginia State Firemen's Association

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s volunteer firefighters could seek some of their needed training and testing online through legislation moving this session.

A unanimous House of Delegates passed that proposal Monday. It would also allow these firefighters to pursue training in segments.

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Legislative Reception:

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

Refreshments will be provided.

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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.”

Tuesday night, Jan 11 2012 at 7pm (recently announced in the email list – see “subscribe” above), the Governor will be giving his annual “State of the State” address at the West Virginia Capitol.

We will be in attendance. We’ll be meeting in the Capitol Rotunda at 6pm wearing our bunker coats and helmets. Please try to make the trip to the Capitol and help us make our presence known.

(WV State Capitol, Charleston WV) – April 4, 2011. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin made it official today by signing HB 3271 into law. This bill, along with the added $2.5 Million dollars to the budget will grant volunteer fire departments in West Virginia a total of $5 Million dollars toward paying increases in Worker’s Compensation Insurance Premiums.

Members of many volunteer fire departments and the State Firemen’s Association along side members of the House of Delegates and State Senate were on hand to witness the signing of HB3271 by Governor Tomblin. Without the help and support of local, county and state officials, working hand-in-hand with representatives of the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association, the passage of this bill would not have been possible. Through the leadership of the Governor’s Office and both houses of the Legislature, a last minute effort culminated into patching the gaping holes some volunteer fire departments would feel come July 1 2011 when Worker’s Compensation coverage is expected to quadruple.

Within the coming months and toward the next legislative session, representatives of the volunteer fire service expect another heated session in the legislature to transition this “patch” to a full fledged permanent fix for local fire companies. It’s a never ending battle for fire departments, on and off the fire-ground. Whether it’s battling the blazes during a house fire or battling law makers in the legislature, the volunteer fire service is inundated with obstacles.

As this current crisis is relieved, leaders in the volunteer fire service community may now focus their attention toward recruitment and retention efforts. Without acquiring new-blood in the service and by losing more and more veteran fire fighters, our numbers are steadily dwindling. Seen as a nationwide epidemic among the volunteer fire service, West Virginia is facing the same problems with retaining  veterans and recruiting new members to the service.