H. B. 2878

(By Delegates Webster, Brown, Walters,
Amores, Caputo and Smirl)

[Introduced February 5, 2003; referred to the
Committee on Political Subdivisions then the Judiciary.]

A BILL to amend article fifteen, chapter eight of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated twenty-a, relating to civil service for municipal firefighters generally; allowing certain municipalities providing advanced life support ambulance services to examine, train and employ fire medics; and requiring fire medics to maintain a paramedic license and complete all required fire service training as necessary to qualify as both a certified firefighter and a licensed paramedic .

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article fifteen, chapter eight of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section twenty-a, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 15. FIRE FIGHTING; FIRE COMPANIES AND DEPARTMENTS; CIVIL SERVICE FOR PAID FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

§8-15-20a. Special examination for licensed fire medic.
A municipality with a firefighter's civil service commission providing an advanced life support ambulance service licensed by the state health department may also administer a special examination for the position of fire medic. A candidate for licensing as a fire medic must be a licensed paramedic; meet the requirements of section seventeen of this article; and, successfully pass the fire medic examination. Any person employed under the provisions of this section must continue to maintain a paramedic license and complete all required fire service training as necessary to qualify as both a certified firefighter and a licensed paramedic. Any person hired as a fire medic shall also comply with all of the provisions of this article.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to allow certain municipalities providing advanced life support ambulance services to examine, train and employ fire medics. Fire medics must

.

This section is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.