WV STEPS UP TO HELP STATE'S VFDS WITH INSURANCE

(07/28/2010)
The state of West Virginia is stepping in to provide insurance coverage to 281 volunteer fire departments.

BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co.'s made a decision to stop underwriting the departments' "broad form" liability plans on Sept. 1.

The insurance plan protect fire chiefs, other fire officers and members of fire department boards of directors from liability if a firefighter is injured in the line of duty.

The state's Board of Risk and Insurance Management will provide the coverage until next June 30.

Many WV VFD's had been facing serious financial problems related to the insurance problem.

Department of Revenue Secretary Virgil Helton says BRIM's involvement will give a task force time to find a permanent solution to providing to coverage to volunteer fire departments.

The state has 426 volunteer departments.