CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia EMS Coalition are going to request $10 million in the anticipated May special legislative session for what they describe as needed programs.
The legislature’s Joint Committee on Volunteer Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services talked about the funding last week at the state capitol.
The funding would offer mental health and training resources, leadership and management classes, and opportunities to apply for a state grant for an EMT to earn an emergency medical service certification, supporters said.
State Office of Emergency Services Executive Director Jody Ratliff said he believes the request is right in line with what is needed in the state.
“From an office standpoint, I have a job to do, but from a paramedic standpoint, in this state, I stand by their legislation,” Ratliff said. “I think what they’re presenting is perfect for what EMS needs across the state.”
Gov. Jim Justice recently approved $10 million to fund training for EMTs and Ratliff said for the first time in a decade, they’ve had back-to-back years of increases in numbers. Ratliff didn’t reveal the numbers and acknowledged the gains are modest but it’s a move in the right direction.
“For the second year in a row since, I think, 2011, we’ve had another net positive gain in the state, and that’s just EMTs,” Ratliff said. “It’s a small number, I’m going to lie but I’ll tell you where I stand; that’s a small win for us.”
The leadership and management classes are vital for agencies to continue operations. First responders have the critical skills to save lives, put out fires, and pull victims from car accidents but sometimes they lack the essential skills needed to properly maintain the books and pay bills, Ratliff said.
“If we teach the small agencies how to run their agencies and how to be profitable, at least break even; they are 501(c)(3) organizations—be profitable to that point,” Ratliff said. “If they float, the whole state floats. If they don’t load, we’ve seen it right now; nobody floats.”
Meanwhile, with a grant of $83,179, Ratliff told lawmakers they will hold the first ever Emergency Medical Services Symposium for Children. The event will be held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2.
“It’s the first multi-day pediatric symposium we’ve had in the state,” Ratliff said. “What I’m really excited about is that we have instructors from Shriner’s Children’s National Hospital, WVU Medicine, CAMC, Florida-based Pediatrics, and the University of Kentucky—they’ve all committed so far.”
Some of the training sessions planned involve head trauma, snake bites, respiratory, pediatric abuse, and special needs for children. All hands-on activities will be held on day two, and Ratliff said they will have access to all of the Boy Scout training facilities on the property. For the children, there will be training sessions about gun safety, CPR and stopping the bleeding.
“The trucks with the high-fidelity mannequins and the simulation trucks will be involved in that also,” Ratliff said. “Command will come down and set up a temporary medical command, so providers can call into the company just like they normally would and go through the scenarios.”