FAIRMONT, W.Va (WDTV) – EMS agencies across the state are urging members of the legislature to enhance critical support that is needed for the upcoming year.
In 2023, the West Virginia Legislature passed Senate Bill 737, which created the EMS salary enhancement fund. The fund was created to address the shortage of EMS workers and other problems, including low wages.
The legislature funded the program with $10 million for its inaugural year, but the funding for the 2025-26 fiscal year is unidentified, leaving many who work in the field worried for their futures.
Donna Wade, Assistant Chief of the Marion County Rescue Squad, emphasized how critical the funding is to their department.
“So basically we were wrote a bad check. Promised the money and it’s not here,” said Wade. “So with us, specifically, as a recruitment tool and a moral booster here, it definitely takes some harm on, for our employees, that they’re not being seen or recognized in their position. Other agencies are looking to having to do pay cuts now.”
Madison Swiger, a paramedic, understands that without the funding, many like herself may be forced to work extra hours with the potential of losing pay.
“The budget cuts are going to continue to happen and with that, the pay rate is going to continue to drop. People are going to want to pursue something else, because it’s just not worth it in the end to have a career that not only burns you out but also makes your mental health go down,” Swiger said.
Already, 25 EMS agencies in the state have closed their doors in the last three years.
Without funding, Wade says irreversible damage is inevitable.
Nearly 1,500 West Virginians signed a letter addressed to Governor Patrick Morrisey and the legislature requesting support for an EMS retention program, according to a press release sent to 5 News.
Concerned EMS employees say they are proud to serve but need the tools to be able to do so.
“I would like for them to keep the promise that they made with this funding to see how crucial that EMS is,” Wade said. “We all know the fire department, you know, if a house catches on fire, the fire departments coming. Same with EMS, if you get in a car wreck or the state of West Virginia – we’re in a drug epidemic – if someone overdoses, who do you call? You call an ambulance. We want to make sure those services are always available and here in the state.”
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