West Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services

EMS Act Amended

Posted: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:30 AM

HB 2916, amending the WV EMS Act, passed on the final day of the West Virginia Legislative session. The bill's primary sponsor, Dr. Margaret Staggers, serves as medical director for many transporting and non-transporting (rapid response) EMS agencies.

This legislation developed out of the desire to increase the number of students obtaining West Virginia EMT-Basic certification. The WV MEDIC Council in southern West Virginia and Pendleton County Emergency Rescue had expressed particular interest in this enabling legislation. The bill had widespread support in both the House and Senate and passed through the legislature with minimum delay in just 39 days.

This amendment to the EMS Act enables WVOEMS to implement FBI and state background checks as a governmental entity within the certification process. It also establishes a temporary fee structure for West Virginia certification and recertification. These fees will enable WVOEMS to develop and implement a quality state option EMT-B exam, cover the cost of required fingerprint processing, and utilize electronic certification cards for personnel and continuing education management. The bill also authorizes rule-making authority for its implementation. Read the changes to the affected code.

WVOEMS intends to deploy a state option certification exam for EMT-Basic candidates at the earliest possible time. Details are currently being worked out to begin implementation of the fingerprint process, fees, and examinations. Details will be released with appropriate policy statements in the near future.