HARRISBURG (June 2, 2021) – Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Carbon, Juniata, Lancaster, Montgomery and Westmoreland counties.
“Thousands of volunteer firefighters benefit from the state aid delivered through relief associations,” DeFoor said. “Our audits make sure they have the life-saving equipment, critical training and insurance they need to help keep Pennsylvanians safe.”
DeFoor also praised the Dormont, Elderton, Unionville, Mauch Chunk/Jim Thorpe, Rheems and Green Lane 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
Dormont Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association – No findings.
Armstrong County
Elderton District Volunteer Fire Company Relief Association – No findings.
Butler County
Unionville Volunteer Fire Company Relief Association – No findings.
Carbon County
The Mauch Chunk Firemen’s Relief Association of Jim Thorpe – No findings.
Juniata County
Delaware Township Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association – Two findings: The relief association spent $1,783 for maintenance on a fire company-owned apparatus, an expense not authorized by state law. In addition, numerous checks issued by the VFRA did not have the signatures of two officers as required by the VFRA’s bylaws and state law.
Lancaster County
Rheems Fire Company Relief Association – No findings.
Montgomery County
Green Lane Fireman’s Relief Association – No findings.
Westmoreland County
Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company Relief Association – One finding: The association and the affiliated fire company agreed to transfer a rescue vehicle title to the VFRA upon completion of vehicle loan payments totaling $32,252. However, the rescue vehicle has remained titled to the affiliated fire company since the VFRA paid off the loan in 2015.
Learn more about the Department of the Auditor General online at www.PaAuditor.gov.
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