By Stephen Smoot
“This is becoming a great turn of events,” shared Mike Alt, Training Officer for Pendleton County Emergency Rescue. Alt has regularly expressed concerns at all levels of government about increasing strains felt by rural EMS services statewide. He referred to the movement forward of a bill aimed at resolving EMS funding problems that have hurt service in counties across the state.
Two years ago, The West Virginia State Legislature passed a bill to create a Salary Enhancement Fund for emergency ambulance services. Counties had flexibility to apply that fund as they saw best. Pendleton County, for example, used it to improve the stipend-based compensation of those who responded on ambulance calls.
In Pendleton County Commission meetings at the time, Alt and Pendleton County emergency services director Rick Gillespie applauded the outcome. Call times dropped considerably and more volunteers had more time to participate. Rural ambulance volunteers usually have to remain on the call for six, eight, or more hours and the increased compensation served as strong motivation.
At the start of 2025, however, the State’s budget concerns forced budget tightening across the board and funds did not go toward the Salary Enhancement Fund despite it being established by statute. The Pendleton County Commission stepped forward to fund the program through the year, but could offer no guarantees that it could going forward into subsequent years.
Meanwhile, Alt and Gillespie made regular appearances both in and out of state legislative sessions to encourage a permanent solution. Last fall, Governor Patrick Morrisey stated in Franklin that a solution would take place in this legislative session.
Meanwhile, struggling EMS operations have been pushed into reductions of service or closing altogether. Patriot EMS, which operates in southwestern West Virginia and southeastern Kentucky, had to lay off half of its staff to remain in operation. This included stations in Mingo County where, now, 45 minute calls could become commonplace without help. Tucker County EMS, despite its county serving as a center for tourism industry growth, has also had to make painful service cuts in a tourism area where they must respond frequently.
House Bill 5168 seeks to address that issue by grafting the funding mechanism used to support volunteer fire companies across the state.
Delegate Daniel Linville (R-Cabell) addressed worries that help for EMS could cost fire companies. He explained in a social media post that “the EMS funding bill uses the exact same methods to provide the funding (same calculations and disbursements by county) and comes from the same sources, but it does not and will not harm funding for our VFDs.” He went on to add that “the source of the funding is what is known as excess lottery funds (and many, many items are funded using that mechanism). It also means it doesn’t have to deal with or compete for support in the annual budget bill.”
One of the debates in the State legislature and elsewhere in State government has been how to treat fairly the counties that have passed levies to help fund emergency services versus those areas that have shown themselves unwilling to do so historically.
Pendleton County serves as a good example because its citizens have traditionally opposed passing a levy for any purpose. County Commission President Carl Hevener has periodically shared concerns about establishing a levy in one election, growing to depend on its funding, then have it disappear the next time it appears on the ballot.
Pendleton County’s EMS and volunteer fire departments have to take on extra duties that some counties do not. The rugged terrain attracts from outside areas both careful individuals who have unfortunate accidents and foolish daredevils who get themselves into trouble. In both cases, fire and EMS responders have difficult and dangerous work when wilderness rescues are needed. The area’s emergency response organizations need special training, special equipment, and special assistance when these events take place and all cost the services money.
The size of the county and sparseness of its population, as well as the topography, create an environment where operating costs for vital services, whether fire, EMS, or even the public school system, cost much more than in more urban counties. Charleston-based decision making sometimes does not account for such issues.
Three funds would be established by this bill, which passed the House and has overcome hurdles thus far in the State Senate. Counties with a levy or dedicated EMS fee will benefit from a “County Emergency Medical Services Fund” that they will share amongst themselves based on population. While, yes, they have levy funds already, it would be a mistake to “penalize” counties that have passed support.
A second fund, also of $3 million, will be the “All County Emergency Medical Services Fund,” also based on population. All counties will divide this up. Third will be $6 million to support the Salary Enhancement Fund. From that, $1 million will go to Offices of Emergency Management to provide assistance for EMS personnel who need mental health assistance, the rest distributed by a funding formula.
The catch for counties is that they must provide a 30 percent match to receive Salary Enhancement funds. The State of West Virginia has moved in recent years toward a “skin in the game” model for funding infrastructure that asks local governments or organizations to pledge to fund a minority share of the project or purpose.
Senate Government Organization Committee Chair Robbie Morris (R-Randolph), also represents Pendleton County. The WV EMS Coalition shared a statement of appreciation to him, “for his leadership in placing this important bill on the committee agenda and for making thoughtful improvements that will enhance access to this critical funding. Your commitment to strengthening EMS in our state is truly appreciated!”
The West Virginia House of Delegates passed the bill unanimously, indicating broad and bipartisan support.