VFDs in the state will receive broadform insurance coverage through the Board of Risk and Insurance Management effective Sept. 1, 2010-June 30, 2011, according to a news release from Gov. Joe Manchin's office.

“I am grateful BRIM has stepped in to provide insurance coverage, and peace of mind, for our VFDs,” Manchin said in the news release. “In addition, the BRIM coverage will provide the Volunteer Fire Department Workers’ Compensation Task Force much needed time to further study all aspects of the workers’ compensation challenge affecting volunteer firefighters.”

Before BRIM's action, 281 volunteer departments in the state were on their ways to losing broadform coverage, which now is provided by Brickstreet, the news release states. There are 426 fully volunteer fire departments in the state.

Brickstreet's coverage to those VFDs was set to expire June 1, 2010, but that has been extended to Sept. 1, 2010, according to the news release.

“The 60-day extension from BrickStreet, while generous, did not allow us time to find a permanent solution,” Manchin said in the news release. “BRIM’s action is a temporary solution that will allow VFDs to receive continual broadform coverage while providing ample time for the task force to fully study the issues and find a permanent solution.”

Helping the VFDs was important, BRIM Director Charles E. Jones said in the news release.

“BRIM is pleased to step in and offer broadform coverage to this subdivision of state government, and to our brothers and sisters at volunteer fire departments,” he said in the news release. “We hope those current policy holders will find comfort in knowing they can obtain temporary coverage through BRIM.”

Earlier in July, Manchin temporarily got relief for VFDs from workers' compensation premium increases from BrickStreet, the news release states. The BRIM coverage will give the stakeholders time to find a permanent solution to the problem, he said.