西弗吉尼亚州消防委员会自1976年成立以来，50年间未曾编制州法规定的综合防火计划。[1]2025年12月的审计发现了这一长期缺陷，暴露了该州在防灾工作上的严重滞后。[1]根据数据，2009年至2023年间，西弗吉尼亚州平均每年火灾死亡32人。[1]2000年至2023年的23年间，该州在其中21年的火灾死亡率排名全美前10位，是全国平均水平的两倍。[1]2012年，西弗吉尼亚州以53人火灾死亡成为当年全美火灾最致命的州。[1]
州消防部门负责人肯·泰瑞宣布，将在2026年秋季立法会议召开前完成并提交这份50年来的首份综合防火计划供审查。[1]
West Virginia's fire commission has neglected for nearly 50 years to develop a comprehensive fire prevention plan mandated by state law, contributing to the state's status as one of the nation's deadliest for fire fatalities.[1] A December 2025 audit revealed that the commission, established in 1976 with responsibility for creating such a plan, has never completed the required document.[1] The state fire department's director, Ken Terry, announced that the plan will be finished and submitted for legislative review before the 2026 fall session.[1]
The consequences of this inaction are substantial. Between 2009 and 2023, West Virginia averaged 32 fire deaths annually, with the state ranking among the top 10 nationally for fire fatality rates in 21 of the years from 2000 to 2023—roughly double the national average.[1] In 2012 alone, the state recorded 53 fire deaths, making it the deadliest state in the nation that year.[1] The forthcoming plan will represent the first comprehensive fire prevention strategy the commission has produced since its inception.[1]