W.Va. Give Fire Depts. Money For Workers' Comp Fee

March 22--MADISON -- Despite not having one workers' compensation claim a year ago, the Madison Volunteer Fire Department saw its premium increase over $5,000, according to Chief Jim Nelson.

"The increases happened to all volunteer fire departments across the state," Nelson said. "It caused some departments to have to shut down."

However, the doors of most West Virginia volunteer fire departments will stay open thanks to a new law that will help offset their workers' compensation costs.

West Virginia Acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed into law the "Volunteer Fire Department Workers' Compensation Subsidy Program," which provides $5 million to help subsidize the volunteer fire departments' workers' compensation costs.

The majority of fire departments in the state are voluntary and have limited means to pay for their workers' compensation coverage, which is mandated by the state.

John Holstein, Vice President of the West Virginia State Firemen's Association, said that in some instances fire departments are facing premium increases of up to 700 percent.

"Without state help, many departments were faced with the prospect of closing their doors," Holstein said.

Yesterday, West Virginia Auditor Glen B. Gainer, III, came to Madison and presented the local fire department with a check for $5,548. Gainer manages the Volunteer Fire Department Workers' Compensation Subsidy Program. To date, over $1.7 million has been distributed as part of the program.

"The volunteer fire departments are a vital part of our communities and we need to help them any way that we can," Gainer said. "We must raise awareness and come up with a long-term solution to this problem and other issues facing volunteer fire departments. They are facing increased costs in all areas of operation, but their revenues are stagnant or doing down."

Over 80 percent of the calls that volunteer fire department respond to are basic level first responder calls.

"When people see these car wrecks on television and in the newspaper they should know that everyone on the scene is getting paid but the volunteer firefighters," Chief Nelson added. "We need help and appreciate Auditor Gainer coming to present us with the much needed funding."

Gainer urged the community to support their local volunteer fire departments.

"Drop by your local fire department to donate, volunteer and see how you can help," he said. "They need money and man power. They are so vital to our communities and we all need to see how we can help them."

Copyright 2012 - Coal Valley News, Madison, W.Va.