UPDATE: IF VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT...

(02/19/2011)

By Bob Weaver Big Wheeling Creek Volunteer Fire Department in Marshall County has been taken out of service by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office. Marshall County Emergency Management Director Tom Hart said that he and Marshall County 911 Communications Director Larry Newell were notified by the State Fire Marshal's Office early Monday afternoon that Big Wheeling Creek VFD had been ordered to "cease and desist" any and all emergency, mutual aid or service calls due to failure to provide Worker's Compensation for its members. Members of Volunteer Fire Departments in West Virginia are hoping a $2.5 million funding proposal from Acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin will help keep them open. Fire departments are already facing major problems with low volunteerism, primarily linked to increased training requirements. A dramatic increase in workers' compensation insurance during the next year is looming. Starting at the end of June, fire departments are expecting a 500 to 600 percent increase in workers' compensation premiums. Tomblin's proposal would help departments with the problem, at least temporarily. Without additional funding, many fire departments would not be able to afford the increased premiums. The entire volunteer fire system is threatened, with volunteer departments covering most of the state. Their service helps keep fire insurance rates down.

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