W.Va. County Offers to Pay Residents for EMT School

The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Preston Commissioners agreed Monday to help residents pay for EMT courses.

Kelly Fike of the Preston County Ambulance Association brought the proposal to commissioners, asking that they use money that would have been allocated to Valley Ambulance—which no longer exists—to help sponsor students.

It costs a total of about $600 for the class and books.

The association asked each ambulance squad in the county to find someone interested in taking the class. Fike said so far Bruceton, KAMP, Rowlesburg and Terra Alta have responded. Mountaineer, Tunnelton and Union have not yet responded, she said.

It would be up to the squad to come up with the rest of the cost.

"Our hopes are that local businesses or civic organizations will donate the additional funds as that will benefit the county and the communities," Fike said.

"I think that's a great idea," Commission President Dave Price said.

He has noted in the past that county ambulance squads are having a hard time getting volunteers and the expense of getting certified is one reason. "That's just awful to have to pay $600 to volunteer to work," Price said.

He and Commissioners Don Smith and Samantha Stone voted unanimously to provide $400 per student, up to a total of seven. The money will be paid to the ambulance squads, which will pay the fees.