West Virginia (WOAY)- Nearly 1,500 West Virginians have signed a letter addressed to Governor Patrick Morrisey and the state legislature requesting funding for a program to help counties recruit and retain emergency medical services personnel.
Paramedics, EMTs, county officials, and supporters of EMTs from all 55 counties signed the letter from the West Virginia EMS Coalition.
The letter outlines concerns about the fallout if the EMS salary enhancement fund is not extended.
Co-signers say several EMS workers could potentially quit their jobs and leave the industry, resulting in response delays and possibly agency closures.
Since 2022, approximately 25 agencies licensed by the Office of Emergency Management to provide 911 response in West Virginia have ceased operations.
Following the program’s first year, spending authority was granted to continue.
However, the line item was not funded.
Without an appropriation for the 2025 and 2026 budgets, thousands of EMS workers risk having their salaries reduced, losing response stipends, or having retention payments cut from their wages.
According to the letter, EMS agencies lose over $500 per 911 emergency response due to inadequate reimbursement from federal and state government insurance, leaving them unable to replace the funds within their budgets.
