W.Va. Bill Would Allow On-line Training, Testing of Vols.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- On-line training and testing of West Virginia's volunteer firefighters is permissible under a bill approved Tuesday by a legislative panel.

But even with unanimous approval, the 400-plus volunteer units still face some heady financial issues that a spokesman says must be addressed in the coming session.

Under the bill, advanced to the full committee for action, the state Fire Commission would propose rules for legislative approval for minimum training levels in rescue and firefighting, along with standards of equipment and performance.

Committee counsel Brenda Thompson pointed out that no firefighter can assist in putting out fires without Firefighter One training.

The only exception are wildfires, she noted.

"It allows for emergency rules, which means the training can be done more quickly," the attorney said.

Sam Love, a spokes-man for the West Virginia State Fireman's Association, and state Fire Marshal Sterling Lewis assured Delegate Rick Snuffer, R-Raleigh, that the online training method is proper and practical.

"Online training is something we've been trying to do for a number of years," Lewis said, "simply to take out the expenses of travel."

Delegate Margaret Staggers, D-Fayette, endorsed the concept, telling fellow panelists that she has seen the value of this as a physician.

The advantage is getting "immediate feedback" from instructors, Staggers said.

In fact, Love told the subcommittee, on-line training has been used for some time.

"There are lots of financial problems out there for the volunteer departments," Love said, after the meeting.

"Workers' compensation is the biggest one."

Last year, he said, the VFDs applauded Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's decision to set aside $5 million into his budget to help them meet insurance costs.

"I'm hoping that he does it again or we can come up for some dedicated funding for workers' comp," Love said.

Love wasn't sure at this point just how much insurance coverage will cost the volunteers this year, but is certain the issue will surface at some stage in the session.

In another matter, the subcommittee approved a bill that would allow the Department of Environmental Protection to produce rules for sampling.

A DEP spokesman said it needs such legislation, because millions of investment dollars are at stake when industrial samples are collected and analyzed.

"The validity of that sampling is very important," the DEP official said.

"What we're trying to do is shore up the perceived hole in the certification process."

One panelist, Delegate Tom Azinger, R-Wood, said he has been advised that the bill would only drive up costs for manufacturers and prevent them from investing in West Virginia.

Copyright 2012 - The Register-Herald, Beckley, W.Va.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service