Bill > HB3148

This bill establishes a four-year Firefighter Education pilot program in four West Virginia counties (Kanawha, Ohio, Mineral, and Raleigh) designed to provide Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II training to eligible students, including high school students, through community and technical colleges. The program aims to address firefighter recruitment and retention by offering quality training opportunities, with fire service instructors (who meet National Fire Protection Association standards) providing instruction. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission will fund students' tuition and academic fees for these courses, and fire instructors must be employed by West Virginia University Fire Service Extension and obtain a part-time teaching permit. Each year, the Chancellors of the Community and Technical College System and Higher Education Policy Commission must submit a comprehensive report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability, detailing student participation, earned credentials, program expenses, job outcomes, and potential program improvements. The pilot program is set to begin no later than July 1, 2025, and will automatically expire on June 30, 2030, unless the Legislature decides to continue or modify it based on the annual reports and recommendations.