Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 20, 1995                   TAG: 9507200028
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STEWART MACINNIS SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: NEW CASTLE                                LENGTH: Medium

CRAIG COUNTY APPROVES FIREFIGHTERS INSURANCE

The supervisors unanimously approved providing $7,832 to the county's five volunteer fire departments for the first year's premium of a new medical insurance policy to cover firefighters injured in the line of duty. The action came four months after the issue threatened to develop into an open rift between the chiefs and the supervisors.

The chiefs were concerned that some volunteers would leave the departments unless the insurance matter was settled. The supervisors had been cautious because they faced a very tough budget year.

Fire chiefs complained the county's current supplemental insurance policy provided too little coverage and that firefighters have difficulty in collecting benefits. At least two firefighters have been injured in the last couple of years.

Ronnie Price, chief of the Craig-New Castle Volunteer Fire Department, said the fire companies are concerned that county funding of the policy this year will use about $4,000 that had been allocated to the departments for other uses.

"This is probably the only year you'll lose that money," said Supervisors Chairman Zane M. Jones. "At this time, we haven't got the money" to fund the policy and to provide the discretionary funding to the departments as well.

That money and about $4,000 spent on the current supplemental policy will pay for the new insurance, said County Administrator Stephen A. Carter.

Craig County Rescue Squad, which has its own insurance that members are happy with, will not participate in the new insurance plan, the supervisors were told. Inclusion of that squad would have increased the annual premium to more than $10,000.

The policy, to be obtained through the Volunteer Fireman Insurance Service Inc., will provide up to $25,000 medical coverage to firefighters. In addition, it will be the primary insurance for firefighters injured in the line of duty.