Monongalia County Allocates Funds to Support Fire Protection Services

The Monongalia County Commission has received over $500,000 from the state to distribute to fire departments in the county. The commission has approved a method for allocating these funds, which will benefit both volunteer fire departments and the Morgantown Fire Department. The distribution of these funds is part of a larger effort by the state to support fire protection services across West Virginia.

Securing the Future of Fire Protection in Monongalia County

Dividing the Funds Equitably

The Monongalia County Commission has decided to distribute the funds evenly among the 12 volunteer fire departments in the county, as well as the Morgantown Fire Department. This decision was made based on a recommendation from the Monongalia County Volunteer Fire Companies Association. The commission has also decided to withhold a portion of the funds to create a contingency fund for emergency requests from the fire departments.

Ensuring Accountability and Transparency

The commission has stated that subrecipient agreements will need to be finalized to pass down the state's transparency and regulatory requirements to the 13 fire departments receiving the funds. This is to ensure that the funds are used in accordance with the state's guidelines and that the departments are held accountable for their use of the funds.

Recognizing the Morgantown Fire Department's Role

The commission has decided to include the Morgantown Fire Department in the distribution of the funds, despite the fact that the legislation creating these funding sources did not specifically mention volunteer fire departments. The commission believes that since Morgantown residents have been paying into the county's excess fire levy, the city's fire department should also receive a share of the funds.

Addressing Immediate Needs

The Star City Volunteer Fire Department will receive an initial allocation of $21,366.04 after taking a $19,000 advance on its portion to replace a vehicle engine. This demonstrates the commission's commitment to addressing the immediate needs of the fire departments in the county.

Expanding Digital Equity and Workforce Development

In addition to the fire department funding, the Monongalia County Commission also announced that Comcast has awarded $15,000 grants to two local nonprofits through its Project UP initiative. The Morgantown Area Partnership will use the funds to maintain and expand a resume bank and host resume writing classes and digital equity training. West Virginia Women Work will focus the grant dollars on professional, career, and workplace development opportunities for women entering the skilled trades.Overall, the Monongalia County Commission's actions demonstrate a comprehensive approach to supporting fire protection services and promoting digital equity and workforce development in the region. By ensuring the equitable distribution of funds and holding the fire departments accountable, the commission is working to secure the future of fire protection in Monongalia County.