ENGROSSED
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 section 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 firefighter paramedic.
(a) 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 firefighter paramedic.
(b) An applicant for the position of firefighter paramedic shall: (1) Be a licensed paramedic; (2) successfully pass the firefighter paramedic examination; and (3) meet the requirements of section seventeen of this article

.
(c) Any person employed as a firefighter paramedic under the provisions of this section shall: (1) Maintain a paramedic license; (2) complete all required fire service training; and (3) comply with all other provisions of this article applicable to the continued employment of firefighters.
(d) Every position of firefighter paramedic, unless filled by promotion, reinstatement, reduction or a current firefighter, shall be filled only in the manner specified in section twenty of this article.

The Committee on Political Subdivisions moves to amend the title of the bill, to read as follows:

H. B. 2878 - "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 section twenty-a, relating to civil service for municipal firefighters generally; allowing certain municipalities providing advanced life support ambulance services to examine, train and employ firefighter paramedics; and requiring firefighter paramedics