Ohio County EMTs Address Allocation of Opioid Funds
Equipment, Crisis Intervention Among Topics Raised
Joselyn King Trending
Ohio County paramedics think opioid settlement dollars coming from the state should be spent on buying standardized equipment for all ambulance providers in the county, and they also think it may be time for a pay raise.
Anthony McDaniel, vice president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5405, addressed the issues during a recent meeting of the Ohio County commissioners.
"I know the state has prioritized fire and EMS for receipt of the opioid funds (because) we were impacted disproportionately due to the opioid crisis," he said.
McDaniel explained a budget for the funds was prepared by the State Emergency Management Services Office for OC EMS and county fire departments that is compatible with one approved by the city of Wheeling. The city of Wheeling was distributed funds in June 2024.
"The plan that was presented would standardize the equipment used by all city, county and volunteer fire department ambulances," he continued. "And while our mission is to support the volunteers, it is nice that if we do end up on one of their ambulances that they have the same equipment we do. It makes things run seamlessly."
A proposed budget that referenced purchase of the equipment was created last year, but has never made it before the commissioners, McDaniel added. He noted prices likely have now increased.
Secondly, the opioid money also could be used for the start up of a crisis intervention team in the county, he suggested. Grant money is also available for the purpose. Crisis intervention team members would assist EMS workers who are dealing with personal trauma.
"EMS is a small community within West Virginia," he explained. "Just within the last year, EMS providers in Kanawha County, Monongalia County and Boone County have committed suicide. Those are the people who are supposed to be there to fix the crisis, and they had an internal crisis of their own."
McDaniel also addressed the commissioners about the need for more pay for paramedics.
"Since we submitted our salary survey, WVU (Medicine) has increased their ambulance employee rates to where a full-time starting EMT is not making more than our paramedics," McDaniel reported.
"We have been in service for five years now as of Jan. 2, 2025 -- half a decade of service to the citizens of Ohio County."
In a related matter, McDaniel said the local IAFF did get a response from the State Office of EMS that they will be distributing state salary enhancement funds within the first quarter of 2025.
He mentioned to commissioners that County EMA Director Lou Vargo and Assistant Director Tony Campbell aren't voting IAFF members, but are considered "honorary members" by paramedics as they often are called upon to go in an ambulance and provide patient care.
McDaniel asked that the pair share in the salary enhancement funds when they are received by the county.
"Many times when we have needed a third set of hands, and they have provided care in the back of the ambulance," McDaniel said.