CHARLESTON, W.Va. — This legislative session lawmakers addressed a handful of issues important to the EMS community across the state.
On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” West Virginia EMS Coalition Executive Director Chris Hall said House Bill 5168 is likely the most impactful thing lawmakers did. The measure allocates $12 million from lottery proceeds to fund the County Emergency Medical Services Fund, the All-County Emergency Medical Services Fund, and sets aside money for crisis intervention and employee counseling.
For the first time in state history EMS units have a permanent funding source.
“Hopefully this $12 million will start to help with the cost of readiness,” Hall said. “Having that ambulance sitting there in that rural community waiting for that 911 call to come with a staff onboard because we can’t wait for an emergency to occur.”
As the money begins to hit the struggling EMS units statewide officials could be able to address low wages across the state.
“While these dollars won’t go directly into salaries- if we have dollars freed up for equipment and training that will free up some dollars so we can hopefully pay people better and keep more people in the field,” Hall said.
Preston County has considered a fee to maintain EMS services, something many other municipalities are considering. Hall said EMS units across the state just have enough runs to pay the bills. This money will be extremely important to many of the cash-starved EMS units and their employees all over the state.
“You also have to have local funding to support it as well and that’s what more and more counties are doing like Preston County is doing,” Hall said. “Is to put in an ambulance levy or a fee to ensure that service is available and can come on a timely basis when needed.”
Mental health concerns and counseling have become an emerging issue post-pandemic. The bill includes funding for crisis intervention as well as $1 million for employee counseling.
“It’s important to have your mental health supports in place to support those people so they can stay confident and remain in the workforce,” Hall said.
Lawmakers also made changes to improve their retirement system, improved safety standards, and expanded benefits for EMS workers partially disabled on the job. Hall said the improvements are laying the foundation for continued improvements in the EMS system for years to come.
“When you put all this together I think we really have an historic opportunity in the state to really set the foundation for EMS in the state with the governor’s signature on these bills,” Hall said.
Gov. Morrisey has until Wednesday to make decisions on bills.