West Virginia Backs Workers’ Compensation for Volunteer Firefighters

West Virginia lawmakers appear willing to help the state’s volunteer fire departments with their workers’ compensation expenses.

The House and Senate exchanged bills this week that would dedicate insurance policy surcharge revenues toward these costs.

The volunteer departments are bracing for scheduled increases to their workers’ compensation premiums. The House bill would provide $7.5 million over three years. It also calls on the state fire marshal to study the situation.

Volunteer departments provide much of the state’s fire protection. A separate Senate measure Wednesday also addresses the premium increases. It follows through on acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s proposal to budget $5 million for these expenses.

All three bills passed unanimously.