West Virginia
Lawmakers get behind $10 million request to fund programs for EMTs – WV MetroNews
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia EMS Coalition are going to request $10 million in the anticipated May special legislative session for what they describe as needed programs.
The legislature’s Joint Committee on Volunteer Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services talked about the funding last week at the state capitol.
The funding would offer mental health and training resources, leadership and management classes, and opportunities to apply for a state grant for an EMT to earn an emergency medical service certification, supporters said.
State Office of Emergency Services Executive Director Jody Ratliff said he believes the request is right in line with what is needed in the state.
“From an office standpoint, I have a job to do, but from a paramedic standpoint, in this state, I stand by their legislation,” Ratliff said. “I think what they’re presenting is perfect for what EMS needs across the state.”
Gov. Jim Justice recently approved $10 million to fund training for EMTs and Ratliff said for the first time in a decade, they’ve had back-to-back years of increases in numbers. Ratliff didn’t reveal the numbers and acknowledged the gains are modest but it’s a move in the right direction.
“For the second year in a row since, I think, 2011, we’ve had another net positive gain in the state, and that’s just EMTs,” Ratliff said. “It’s a small number, I’m going to lie but I’ll tell you where I stand; that’s a small win for us.”
The leadership and management classes are vital for agencies to continue operations. First responders have the critical skills to save lives, put out fires, and pull victims from car accidents but sometimes they lack the essential skills needed to properly maintain the books and pay bills, Ratliff said.
“If we teach the small agencies how to run their agencies and how to be profitable, at least break even; they are 501(c)(3) organizations—be profitable to that point,” Ratliff said. “If they float, the whole state floats. If they don’t load, we’ve seen it right now; nobody floats.”
Meanwhile, with a grant of $83,179, Ratliff told lawmakers they will hold the first ever Emergency Medical Services Symposium for Children. The event will be held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2.
“It’s the first multi-day pediatric symposium we’ve had in the state,” Ratliff said. “What I’m really excited about is that we have instructors from Shriner’s Children’s National Hospital, WVU Medicine, CAMC, Florida-based Pediatrics, and the University of Kentucky—they’ve all committed so far.”
Some of the training sessions planned involve head trauma, snake bites, respiratory, pediatric abuse, and special needs for children. All hands-on activities will be held on day two, and Ratliff said they will have access to all of the Boy Scout training facilities on the property. For the children, there will be training sessions about gun safety, CPR and stopping the bleeding.
“The trucks with the high-fidelity mannequins and the simulation trucks will be involved in that also,” Ratliff said. “Command will come down and set up a temporary medical command, so providers can call into the company just like they normally would and go through the scenarios.”
Ft. Worth, TX – The West Virginia Mountaineers (31-19, 17-10) are on the road for their final regular season series and will wrap up Big 12 Conference play against the TCU Horned Frogs (30-17, 13-14).
Game one: 7:00 p.m. EST
Game two: 7:30 p.m. EST
Game three: 4:00 p.m. EST
West Virginia has won three of its last four games after dismantling Peen State 18-7 in a midweek matchup last week and followed by taking a from Kansas State to send head coach Randy Mazey out with a win in the final home game of his career.
JJ Wetherholt has returned to form after suffering a hamstring injury early in the season and missing 24 games. The junior is currently riding an eight-game hitting streak with five multi-hit games and had a .500 batting average with three home runs, three doubles and 10 RBIs during that stretch.
Sophomore Sam White is hitting a team-high .330.
Senior Reed Chumley leads the team in home runs (14), doubles (12) and RBIs (40).
Senior Hayden Cooper (1-3, 5.68) will take the mound in game one.
Derek Clark (6-2, 3.14) is set for game two. The senior is 6-2 on the season and his 3.14 ERA is the second lowest in the Big 12, and junior Tyker Switalski (3-2, 6.56) is scheduled for the series finale.
TCU is scheduled to counter with Payton Tolle in the series opener. The junior holds the lowest ERA in the Big 12 at 2.87 and leads the league in strikeouts with 105.
Kole Klecker is slated for game two. The sophomore is 1-2 in eight starts and holds a 5.08 ERA.
TCU has taken its last two Big 12 series, including a sweep at Baylor. Last weekend, the Horned Frogs wrapped up its nonconference schedule, taking two of three from New Mexico State.
Logan Maxwell leads the team at the plate. The X holds team-highs in batting average (.349), doubles (12), OPS (.959), and slugging percentage (.497).
Luke Boyers and Kurtis Byrne registered a team best six home runs apiece. Byrne has also hit a team-leading 36 RBIs.
West Virginia is 11-24 all-time versus TCU. The Horned Frogs have won seven of the 10 series played between the two programs. However, the Mountaineers have taken the last two series.
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WDTV) – Four of seven education levies failed in the North Central area Tuesday night.
Taylor, Ritchie and Lewis counties passed their levies for their respective boards of education.
However, the levies in Marion, Monongalia, Preston and Upshur counties failed to pass.
The Marion County levy asked voters to approve funds to upgrade athletic equipment and stadiums for many of the schools in the area. Their levy, which was the largest of the seven, would have also created a new elementary school in the East Fairmont area.
The Monongalia County levy asked for over $142 million to build the Renaissance Academy, which would have included STEM-specific courses for high school students in the county.
The Preston County levy was meant to be a five-year renewal plan, officials said, which would have kept some staff positions after lower enrollment and a loss of pandemic relief funds.
Finally, the Upshur County levy would have approved over $3 million for instructional equipment, substitutes, building improvements and other student services.
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