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State Fire Marshal's Office to Celebrate 100Th Anniversary

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State Fire Marshal's Office to Celebrate 100Th Anniversary A Newsletter For West Virginia State Government Employees April 2009 Volume 20 Number 3 State Fire Marshal’s Office to Celebrate 100th Anniversary Contributed by Carol Nolte of the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Since being appointed West related to the work in which our blasters, pyrotechnicians, electri- Virginia’s 16th State Fire Marshal in office is involved. That’s why I’m cians, and home inspectors; and May 2000, Sterling Lewis, Jr. has so pleased to announce that the State been part of many significant events. Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is cel- He has been involved in a number of ebrating 100 years of service to the capacities including Incident Com- citizens of West Virginia.” mander on explosions, hazardous The State Fire Marshal’s Office materials spills, building fires, and has always been a small agency with even swift-water rescues. But the a vast range of duties under the State latest event is truly a first and only, Code, including fire investigation; according to Lewis. “So many times public fire education; fire code in- much more. Fire marshals are often I’ve been the bearer of bad news spections; plans review; licensing of seen on the evening news respond- ing to fire fatalities, large loss fires, and explosions, or providing inter- Vandalia Tradition Continues May 22-24 views on fire prevention and safety. Most people are unaware that Edited from information by Terri Marion of the Division of Culture and History. along with celebrating its 100th On Memorial Day weekend, May 22-24, the Cultural Center and State anniversary, the State Fire Capitol grounds will be the site of the 33rd Vandalia Gathering – the State’s Marshal’s Office is one of the old- annual celebration of the traditional arts, music, dance, stories, crafts, and est State agencies. food of West Virginia. The free festival’s unique blend of ethnic and House Bill 160 passed on Febru- cultural heritage combines an atmosphere as comfortable as a family re- ary 23, 1909 and became effective union with the excitement of a state fair. on May 24, 1909, creating the “Fire The Vandalia Gathering creates new memories each year for the thou- Marshal Law.” The Fire Marshal’s sands of visitors and pays tribute to West Virginia’s mountain culture and Department was formed on July 15, ethnic heritage by showcasing a variety of craftspeople and performers. 1909, and was originally under the For those who love the sounds of traditional music or would like to be control of the State Auditor. Its mis- introduced to it, the Vandalia Gath- sion at that time was two-fold: to ering fits the bill. Concerts and con- implement an education campaign tests fill the weekend, and im- along with building inspections, with promptu musical jam sessions spring the aim of avoiding “fire waste” (fire up all over the grounds. At any mo- loss) in the State; and to investigate ment, a shade tree becomes the site arson fires and prosecute those guilty of a lively performance as strolling of setting fires. musicians stop to join in on a favor- The first State Fire Marshal was ite tune. A special jam tent will be Charles A. Ellison. He was paid an set up on the grounds that will be annual salary of $2,000 and was ap- manned with musicians playing on pointed by the State Auditor. Com- Saturday from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. mon expenses at that time included The cool shade of a magnolia tree provides the perfect spot for See GATHERING – Page 3 See ANNIVERSARY – Page 4 some fine Appalachian music. West Virginia Selected to Partner with Pew Center on the States As one of only three states, West In announcing West Virginia’s se- All 50 states were eligible to ap- Virginia has the distinction of being lection, Governor Joe Manchin com- ply for the program. Manchin and selected to participate in a year-long mented, “We know we can and must Ferguson are honored that West Vir- program aimed at strengthening state do better to improve our planning ginia was chosen, since selection was operations and saving tax dollars. and budgeting process. We are based on each state’s ability to cre- Along with Georgia and Ohio, ate a senior-level team with the abil- West Virginia will partner with the ity to implement improvement strat- Pew Center on the States in a pro- egies that will produce positive re- gram that will accelerate state im- sults. According to Susan Urahn, provements in targeted areas. Each Managing Director of the Pew Cen- state will have a project with a spe- ter on the States, the current eco- cific focus that will be included as pleased to have this opportunity to nomic downturn requires decisions part of Pew’s “Management Lab.” save taxpayer dollars while deliver- that are results- and benefits-based. The goal is to improve results in the ing better service to our hard-work- “State governments that improve focus area and to eventually share ing West Virginians.” performance and increase efficien- those results with other states to en- Department of Administration cies will be in the strongest position courage improvements nationwide. Cabinet Secretary Robert W. to weather the challenges of this Each state will receive $50,000 to Ferguson, Jr. is chairing the West economy,” she said. assist with its project and intensive Virginia project. “Given this valu- Georgia will be working on a sys- management support from Pew’s ex- able resource from the Pew Center tem to analyze spending data for all perts and advisors. on the States, West Virginia is an- state agencies, colleges, and univer- West Virginia’s project will cen- ticipating great ideas to develop as sities that could save millions; Ohio ter on establishing new statewide our own representation from our key will create new human resources planning and budgeting systems that experts in the financial arena work guidelines for all state departments will ensure the State can provide the hand-in-hand for positive outcomes,” to ensure that personnel are most best return on its public investments. stated Ferguson. effectively deployed across the state. When the WIC Eligibility Eased The Department of Health and Hu- Emergency Alarm Rings ... man Resources (DHHR) has announced expanded eligibility guidelines for its Last month, we reminded you it’s required that you leave the building when the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) emergency alarm sounds. That prompted an excellent question: What exactly should supplemental nutrition program. you do, and what should you take with you? WIC is a short-term program that pro- When a building evacuation happens, act as though you are leaving for the day. vides free nutritional food to eligible par- ticipants. The program offers nutrition O Gather your things as if you were leaving for the day, including your purse, coat, education courses and monitors the keys, and umbrella. Use common sense. Items like lunch boxes or totes that progress of clients to help address prob- have your extra pair of shoes should be left behind. lem areas early-on. O Shut down all computers and other equipment as is feasible, depending on the The eligibility expansion will allow more pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding situation. Turn off all lights, and don’t forget the office coffee pot! women to participate in the program, as O Close all office doors, but DO NOT LOCK THEM. Closing the doors forms well as increase the number of eligible protective barriers, but they must be unlocked to allow access for emergency children ages birth to age five. personnel if needed. Under the new guidelines, a family of two can make as much as $26,955 a O Employees who do not need assistance during evacuations should exit the year and still qualify. For larger families, building as quickly as possible, according to established protocol, and proceed add $6,919 for each member. to their assigned gathering places. Special needs employees and their buddies For specifics or more information, con- should gather at their designated locations and wait for instructions/assistance tact your local WIC Office or visit them as appropriate. online at http://ons.wvdhhr.org. 2 April 2009 Presenting the Amazing Emmiline and Alexander! Allow us to introduce you to two prominent and extremely popular Manchin kept Emmiline and figures at the Capitol Complex: Emmiline and Alexander. Alexander available for public view- Emmiline and Alexander have a stellar reputation for entertaining visi- ing during his tenure as Secretary of tors by pulling carts, jumping through hoops, and leaping in the air as high State and State Treasurer. In 1993, as 10 feet – all while being quite dapperly dressed. You’ll find Alexander in they were invited to appear again in a smart suit with black pants, while his companion, Emmiline, appears in a the State Museum, this time at the dress featuring a white, chiffon-like skirt. Cultural Center, where they re- Who are these “people,” you ask? The April Fool’s joke is on you! mained on display until the museum Emmiline and Alexander aren’t people at all. They’re actually fleas! closed for renovation in 2004. The duo was the star attraction in a flea circus at Hubert’s Museum in Now, after a five-year hiatus in New York City during the latter 1800’s. They eventually died, and in 1906, dark storage, the fleas, in their at- were donated to the State, where they were displayed at the old State tire, are being readied to return to museum in downtown Charleston. They were moved to the basement in the display at the museum.
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