HARRISBURG (August 3, 2021) – Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Allegheny, Beaver, Blair, Columbia, Dauphin, Delaware, Indiana, Lycoming, Mercer and Montgomery counties.
“My audits help to make sure that VFRAs are properly using state funds to help first responders protect communities and save lives,” DeFoor said.
DeFoor applauded the Coulter, Freedom, Blue Knob, Bloomsburg, Broomall, Homer City, Empire Hook and Ladder Company, Clinton Township and Jackson Center VFRAs for having no audit findings.
The Department of the Auditor General distributes state aid for VFRAs and audits how they use the funds, which are generated by a 2 percent tax on fire insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania by out-of-state companies.
In 2020, $60.25 million went to 2,518 municipalities for distribution to VFRAs to provide training, purchase equipment and insurance, and pay for death benefits for volunteer firefighters.
Relief associations are separate legal entities from the fire departments they support. VFRAs must comply with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures in managing the receipt and expenditure of relief association funds or face the potential withholding of future state aid.
Audit reports are available online using the links provided below, or at www.PaAuditor.gov/audit-reports.
Allegheny County
Coulter VFRA – No findings.
Beaver County
Freedom VFRA – No findings.
Blair County
Blue Knob VFRA – No findings.
Columbia County
Bloomsburg VFRA – No findings.
Dauphin County
Elizabethville VFRA – One finding: The relief association spent $968 on medical equipment not authorized by state law.
Delaware County
Chester VFRA – Two findings: Failure to maintain a complete and accurate roster of relief association members as required by the relief association’s bylaws. The association also made $300 in cash donations in the memory of deceased VFRA members, expenses not authorized by state law.
Broomall VFRA – No findings.
Indiana County
Homer City VFRA – No findings.
Lycoming County
Clinton Township VFRA of Montgomery RR #1 – No findings.
Mercer County
Jackson Center VFRA – No findings.
Montgomery County
Empire Hook & Ladder Company, Pottstown – No findings.
Learn more about the Department of the Auditor General online at www.PaAuditor.gov.
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