8/25/2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va.—West Virginia Department of Revenue Cabinet Secretary, and Chair of the West Virginia Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) Workers’ Compensation Task Force, Virgil T. Helton today announced the August 30, 2010, Task Force meeting has been delayed.
In order to provide the Task Force members with confidence that they will have the time needed to fully investigate their respective topics and develop worthwhile solutions to the VFD insurance challenge, a date for the next full Task Force meeting has not been set.
“Our four sub-committees have made outstanding progress since forming in July,” Secretary Helton said. “Volunteer Fire Departments who want broadform insurance coverage now have the ability to seek that coverage from the West Virginia Board of Risk and Insurance Management. Our sub-committees now need time to study their respective issues in-depth so they may develop a long-term solution to the firehouses’ workers’ compensation insurance coverage challenge.”
The four sub-committees are deliberate intent, funding, compensable injury, and risk management. The sub-committees are comprised of members from the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association, State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Legislature, Offices of the Insurance Commissioner, State Fire Commission, Municipal League, Association of Counties, County Commissioners’ Association, and Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety.
“I have instructed the four sub-committee chairs to hold as many meetings as needed in order to come back to the full Task Force with individual reports on how best to proceed,” Secretary Helton said. “Men and women in the volunteer fire service risk their lives each day. We need to be just as diligent in our efforts as the firemen are in our communities each and every day.”
Governor Manchin asked Secretary Helton to study the challenges facing West Virginia VFDs’ workers’ compensation insurance earlier this summer.
Contact Information
Kimberly Osborne
(304) 558-0211