A Plan to Assist Volunteer Fire Departments
From The Governor’s Desk
A weekly column by Gov. Joe Manchin
Earlier this week, I joined Department of Revenue Cabinet Secretary Virgil Helton, Brickstreet Insurance CEO Greg Burton, West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline, members of the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association and others to announce Brickstreet Insurance’s decision to delay increasing workers’ compensation premium rates for state fire departments until July 2011. This extension will allow time for the state to develop a long-term solution in providing affordable workers’ compensation to volunteer fire departments.
I applaud Brickstreet Insurance for voluntarily delaying the increase of workers’ compensation premium rates. Without Brickstreet’s actions, as of July 1, 2010, West Virginia’s volunteer fire departments would have been subject to higher premiums, straining an already tight budget.
This situation however doesn’t just affect firefighters and their departments. It also affects thousands of West Virginians as well. Volunteer fire departments provide about 80 percent of fire, ambulance and rescue services throughout the state. These local life-saving services not only save lives but also keep homeowner’s insurance rates lower in the communities with volunteer fire departments.
If we lose these vital services, then our citizens and communities will be compromised, leaving them without immediate response during emergencies and an increase in fire insurance premiums.
Over the next year, a working group – made up of members of my administration, the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association and the Legislature – will study this issue and develop a remediate plan that will create a long-term solution. This plan will help get costs under control, while also working to improve safety for firemen during their volunteer service.
Firemen – professional and volunteer – are so important to our state. And, we must work together for the greater good of our fire departments and the communities and people they serve.