HARRISBURG – Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor today announced the release of audit reports for 10 volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Berks, Clearfield, Carbon, Delaware, Lackawanna, Potter, Washington, Wyoming and York counties.
“Our audits of VFRAs make sure every dollar of state aid is properly used to help protect lives and property in communities across Pennsylvania,” DeFoor said.
DeFoor applauded five 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% tax on fire insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania by out-of-state companies. In 2021, $54 million went to 2,517 municipalities for distribution to VFRAs to provide training, purchase equipment and insurance, and pay for death benefits for volunteer firefighters.
VFRAs risk having future state aid withheld if they do not comply with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures. Relief associations are separate legal entities from the fire departments they support.
The department is required by law to audit liquid fuels tax usage by municipalities; municipal pension plans and volunteer fire relief associations that receive state aid from the department; various county offices and numerous other state government entities.
Audit reports are available online using the links provided below, or at www.PaAuditor.gov/audit-reports.
Berks County
Hamburg Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association – No findings.
Western Berks Fire Department Relief Association – No findings.
Clearfield County
Dubois City Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association – No findings.
Carbon County
Lansford Borough Fireman’s Relief Association – Finding: Insufficient bond coverage.
Delaware County
Eddystone Fire Company #1 Relief Association – Five findings: Noncompliance with prior audit recommendation involving failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster. Failure to secure ownership interest in vehicle. Insufficient bond coverage. Failure to follow bylaws and to segregate VFRA officers’ duties. Failure to maintain minutes of meetings.
Lackawanna County
Jermyn Borough Fireman’s Relief Association – Two findings: Failure to maintain complete and accurate equipment and membership rosters.
Potter County
Genesee Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association – No findings.
Washington County
Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 Firemen’s Relief Association – Finding: Insufficient bond coverage.
Wyoming County
Meshoppen Volunteer Fire Company Relief Association – Finding: Noncompliance with prior audit recommendation involving late deposit of state aid.
York County
Strinestown Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Association – No findings.
Review other recent audits, sign up to be notified when new audits are released and learn more about the Department of the Auditor General online at www.PaAuditor.gov.
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