Tim Walker
AMR Reporter
At its August 5 meeting the Pocahontas County Commission voted to hire Christopher Lusk as the new Director of Pocahontas Emergency Medical Services. Lusk was previously employed by Lewis County Emergency Medical Services. Brandon James, of the Pocahontas County Emergency Medical Authority, recommended Lusk.
Lusk is being hired on a two-year pilot program, after which there will be an evaluation to see if the position should be continued. James told the commission that Lusk was aware of that. Lusk’s annual salary will be $65,000, with the commission paying $50,000 and the EMS Authority paying the remaining $15,000. Lusk will have full benefits and will start September 2.
Bridget Shaw appeared before the commission asking for clarification of her position as the Interim Director of Emergency Management and 911. Shaw had been appointed by former EMS/911 Director Mike O’Brien as he was leaving his position in July. Commission President John Rebinski said that, while the commission did not appoint Shaw, she could continue to set schedules, handle invoices and track the progress of the communication tower projects, he is willing to step in, if necessary, to deal with personnel and other issues.
County Clerk Missy Bennet informed the commission that she is awaiting a decision from the West Virginia Ethics Commission regarding how much authority an individual county commissioner has when it comes to making decisions for county boards and agencies.
During the mail items, it was learned that the West Virginia Department of Health is distributing $5 million statewide for ambulance service providers to purchase equipment for their ambulances. Pocahontas County is receiving $90,909.09 of that money, which they will distribute among the six ambulance services in the county, including the County Ambulance Service.
Later in the meeting, the commission approved to use $81,013.81 from the $343,310 Opioid Settlement funds, received so far, to purchase equipment for the three ambulances that the County Ambulance Service will have operational in September. Those include the one they currently own, the one recently donated by the Hillsboro Volunteer Medical Service, and the new one which they expect to receive later this month.
The commission awarded the one bid received for updating the courthouse video surveillance system. That bid was from SecuriTech in the amount of $19,134.10.
They voted to donate $2,500 to the Tucker Community Foundation for its 2025 Run For It race which will be held in September. This race raises money for non-profit organizations including those in Pocahontas County.
The commission also donated $2,500 to Bryans Battery Inc., a Pocahontas County non-profit corporation, to help finance the 2025 Battle of Droop Mountain Civil War Reenactment which will be held at the battlefield state park October 11 and 12.
In other matters, the commission approved:
• Paying Draw Request #16 from the ARC Broadband Grant, in the amount of $2,012.10 to pay invoices.
• Resolution #11 from the PMH HVAC Grant to pay invoices. Region 4’s Donna Ward said all units have been installed and are operational, but they are still waiting for some additional pumps, and the project should be completed by the end of September.
• Resolution # 11 for the EPA Tannery Project, to pay $2,740.45 for invoices.
• They rescheduled their Tuesday, August 19, meeting to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 21, due to a conflict with the Election Conference.
• At the request of the WV Attorney General, they approved allowing Commission President John Rebinski to electronically sign the additional Opioid Settlement agreement which will bring settlement funds over nine years. The courts required this be an electronic signature.
• The agreement and resolution to accept the $51,000 – 2025 Community Corrections Grant.
• A memorandum of agreement with the Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS), which will allow that search and rescue group to team up with other county emergency response organizations.
• A Memorandum of Understanding with the Board of Education regarding the 911 Beard Heights Communication Tower being located on BOE property.
• To apply for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Grant, which can be for up to $37,000, which the commission suggests could be used to fix lighting and electrical issues in the old ARC building.
