Boards & Committees

Berkeley County Fire Service Board

Amended Fire Fee Ordinance May 2015

BCFSB Strategic Plan Report

Berkeley County Fire Board
400 West Stephen St. Suite A-05
Martinsburg, WV 25401
304-264-1945

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Board Members

Name Title Service Term
Hunter WilsonChairman (Citizen)07/14/2016 - 05/28/2021 2nd term
Dan PetryVice (Fire Service) 04/04/2016 - 04/04/2019 2nd term
Douglas Copenhaver, Jr---County Council Representative---
Donald M. Combs Board Member (Fire Service)06/03/2017 - 06/02/2020 1st term
Tim E. Lewis Board Member (Citizen)06/30/2017 - 06/29/2020 1st term
Joseph F. Kidwell Board Member (Fire Service)09/01/2016 - 09/04/2018 1st term
Mary Dulyea Board Member (Citizen)02/01/2018 - 01/31/2021 1st term

Staff

Name Title Email Address
Donna CrossAdministrative Directordcross@berkeleywv.org
Belinda Burriss Administrative Assistantbburriss@berkeleywv.org

The Berkeley County Fire Service Board consists of three (3) fire service personnel, selected from one of the five fire districts; three (3) citizens from different magisterial districts and one (1) Berkeley County Councilperson. Each citizen or fire service representative is appointed by the Berkeley County Council for a three year term, not to exceed two terms. Additionally, all Board appointees are sworn in by a representative of the Berkeley County Clerk.

The Berkeley County Fire Service Board of Directors meets monthly on the second Thursday at 6:30 PM to conduct regular business. These meetings are conducted in the County Council Chambers on the 2nd level within the Dunn Building at 400 West Stephen Street.

Current Fire Fees for Berkeley County residences and non-residential buildings are applied on a graduated scale based upon the square footage of each habitable structure in Berkeley County.

Those rates are as follows:   

  Square Feet of Structure Yearly Fee Amount
Residential
0 - 1,600 sq. ft. $35.00
1,601 - 3,000 sq. ft. $50.00
3,001 plus $65.00
For Residential Buildings, the fire service fee shall be due and payable on or before September 30th each year. If the year's fire service fee is not paid on or before September 30th, the amount due increases by 50% of the original billed amount. Furthermore, if the year's fire service fee is still unpaid at December 31st, on January 1st the amount due increases by 100% of the original billed amount.

  Square Feet of Structure Yearly Fee Amount
Non-Residential
0 - 2,500 sq. ft.$95.00
2,501 - 7,500 sq. ft.$195.00
7,501 - 20,000 sq. ft.$500.00
20,001 - 35,000 sq. ft.$975.00
35,001 - 50,000 sq. ft.$1,250.00
50,001 - 75,000 sq. ft.$1,500.00
75,001 - 100,000 sq. ft.$2,200.00
100,001 plus$2,200.00 base amount plus $0.003 per sq. ft. exceeding 100,000 sq. ft.
For Non-Residential Buildings, the fire service fee may be satisfied in two equal installments, the 1st of which shall be due and payable on or before September 30th each year and the 2nd of which shall be due and payable on or before April 30th each year. Annual fire service fees that are not paid in full on or before April 30th of each year are subject to contractual interest at the rate of 10%, which will accrue from May 1st of that year until the date payment is made.

Supported Volunteer Fire & Rescue Departments
The Berkeley County Fire Service Board provides financial support for eight (8) volunteer fire stations and substations in Berkeley County, West Virginia. These stations are managed and operated by the five (5) Volunteer Fire & Rescue Companies.
Company NameCompany #Stations
South Berkeley VFD20Main Station 20 & Sub Station 29
Hedgesville VFD30Main Station 30 & Sub Station 70
Bedington VFD40Main Station 40 & Sub Station 49
Back Creek Valley VFD50Main Station 50
Baker Heights VFD60Main Station 60

These stations are dispersed throughout Berkeley County so that vital pieces of emergency equipment are ready for service when an emergency arises. The Volunteer Fire and Rescue Companies respond to fires, vehicle accidents, industrial and commercial accidents, special rescues, emergency medical service calls, and provide other vital services to the community and citizens of Berkeley County too numerous to list.

West Virginia Forest Fire Laws
http://www.wvforestry.com/firelaws.cfm
It is still your responsibility to actively tend to any controlled outside burning. You are to never leave these fires unattended. Remember, if you initiate a controlled outside burning, you may be responsible for any damages or services rendered by the fire service in the event the controlled burn gets "out of control".
Before burning, please call the Berkeley County Central Dispatch non-emergency line at (304) 263-1330.