Nearly 1,500 West Virginians request support for EMS retention program

CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Nearly 1,500 West Virginians have signed a letter to Governor Patrick Morrisey and the West Virginia Legislature requesting funding for a program designed to help counties recruit and retain emergency medical services personnel.

The letter, signed by Paramedics, EMTs, county officials and supporters of EMS from all 55 counties, states there are deep concerns about the fallout if the EMS Salary Enhancement Fund is not extended. The cosigners say that a mass exodus from the field by individuals that are already under-appreciated could occur resulting in response delays and possibly agency closures.

Approximately 25 agencies licensed by the Office of EMS to provide 911 response in West Virginia have ceased operations since 2022. Most recently, St. Joseph’s Ambulance, a private ambulance agency servicing Parkersburg and Wood County, announced its closure effective March 31st. Factors cited by the ownership for the closure included challenges related to sourcing qualified personnel to staff ambulances.

In 2023, the WV Legislature passed SB 737 creating the EMS Salary Enhancement Fund and funded it with $10 million from state surplus. At the time, EMS was facing a crippling shortage of EMS workers due to a host of issues including low wages and mental health challenges. The EMS Salary Enhancement Fund was one of several solutions that helped stabilize the EMS workforce in many counties keeping 911 response available.

Following the first year of the program, spending authority was granted to continue the program for a second year, but the line-item was not funded. Without an appropriation for the FY 2025 and 2026 budgets, thousands of EMS workers are at-risk of 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 EMS agencies with no ability to replace the funds within their own budgets.

Local EMS agency officials within West Virginia say the Salary Enhancement Fund has made a difference during the brief time that it has existed.

“We have more emergency calls for help than I have paramedics and EMTs available to respond,” said Joey Smith, Executive Director of the Boone County Ambulance Authority. “We continually lose EMTs and Paramedics to other professions, to other EMS agencies, and to suicide. I have paramedics, with 20 years’ experience, that make $16 an hour, rates like fast food restaurants. I have mothers and fathers working two or three jobs to meet the financial responsibilities of caring for a family. Salary Enhancement has not fixed all our funding problems, but it went a long way in helping.”

Donna Wade, Assistant Chief for the Marion County Rescue Squad, said the Salary Enhancement Fund has provided value beyond the economic benefits.

“These funds went directly to our frontline workers, helping to stabilize a workforce that was underpaid, overworked, and on the verge of collapse,” Wade said.  “For Marion County, this funding became a critical tool for retention. It showed them their sacrifices were seen and valued. It helped us recruit and retain qualified EMTs and paramedics—keeping our trucks running and our community protected.