25-03-2025
West Virginia EMS Coalition letter calling for restoration of salary fund gets 1,500 signatures
FAIRMONT, (WBOY) — The West Virginia EMS Coalition is calling for support for the EMS Salary Enhancement Fund, which they say is key to retaining EMS workers throughout the state.
In a letter addressed to Governor Morrissey and the legislature with 1,500 signatures from paramedics, EMTs, county officials and other members of the community, the Coalition says EMS agencies face stiff competition in keeping EMS workers when workers can find better wages in other states or other medical professions. The Salary Enhancement Fund, the Coalition argues, mitigates this problem.
The letter, which details these issues and was sent to the Governor as well as 12 News, says while $10 million of funding has been authorized for this year, no money in the state budget has been set aside for it.
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Assistant Chief at the Marion County Rescue Squad Donna Wade told 12 News that the finances of EMS workers are typically strained with workers often working two jobs. Without the Salary Enhancement EMS fund, she said, 'There's a real reality that some places in West Virginia, when you call 911, there may not be an ambulance or staffing to come help you.'
The EMS Salary Enhancement Fund was started by Senate Bill 737 in 2023. The Coalition says the Fund was initially supported with $10 million, and a further $10 million appeared to be allocated in Governor Justice's FY 2025 budget. However, when this legislative session came around, the EMS Coalition found that while $10 million of spending had been authorized for the EMS Salary Enhancement Fund for both FY 2025 and FY 2026, there was no corresponding funding source.
Wade told 12 News that EMS agencies generally face monetary challenges, and that EMS agencies generally receive little funding from the state or county and reimbursements from Medicaid or Medicare for 911 are low. Many EMS agencies already put access to the EMS Salary Enhancement Fund into their planning. With the money falling through, Wade said West Virginia could see a situation in which EMS agencies close.
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