Firefighter Pilot Program

HB 3148 creates a four-year pilot program in Kanawha, Ohio, Mineral, and Raleigh counties to provide firefighting training through community colleges. The bill covers tuition and fees for eligible high school students and others taking approved Fire Fighter I and II courses, which align with state fire commission requirements. It requires the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to fund these courses directly and mandates annual reports to the Legislature on participation, credentials earned, costs, and program effectiveness. The program will sunset after four years (ending July 2029) unless extended by the Legislature based on evaluation findings.