CHARLESTON, W.Va. — House Speaker Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, has requested a bill that doubles the death benefits for emergency personnel be retroactive to Jan. 1.
Armstead said in a letter dated Monday to Gov. Jim Justice this is to ensure the increased benefits are given to the families of the two Pratt volunteer firefighters who were killed Saturday.
Assistant Chief Michael Edwards and Lt. Tom Craigo died while responding to a fatal wreck on the West Virginia Turnpike. Three other firefighters were injured.
“Considering the recent traffic accident in Kanawha County where the two Pratt volunteer firefighters were killed in the line of duty, I am hopeful that changes in the law may be made in the future to allow the families of these heroic firefighters to be provided the higher death benefits contained in Senate Bill 625,” Armstead said.
The current bill, if signed, would go into effect June 10.
The speaker requested a measure changing the original language be placed on call for if a special session is held this year.