Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 11 Counties


August 03 2017
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Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 11 Counties

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HARRISBURG (Aug. 3, 2017) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations in Allegheny, Berks, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Fayette, Lehigh, Luzerne, Schuylkill, Washington and York counties.

The Department of the Auditor General examines volunteer firefighters’ relief associations, which receive state aid from a 2 percent state tax on fire insurance premiums purchased by Pennsylvania residents from out-of-state casualty insurance companies.

In 2016, $65.5 million in state funds was required to be distributed through funding municipalities to 1,915 VFRAs to provide training, purchase equipment and insurance, and pay for death benefits for volunteer firefighters.

The full audit reports for VFRAs with findings are available online using the links provided below; others are available online at: www.PaAuditor.gov/audit-reports.

Allegheny County

Greenock VFRA – No findings  

Berks County

Hereford VFRA – No findings

Carbon County

Mahoning Valley VFRA

Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures, except for one finding: inadequate signatory authority for the disbursement of funds.

Centre County

Centre Hall VFRA – No findings

Chester County

Downingtown VFRA – No findings  

Fayette County

Flatwoods VFRA 

Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures, except for one finding: inappropriate pre-signing of a blank check.

Luzerne Township VFRA – No findings

Lehigh County

Catasauqua VFRA

Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures, except for one finding: failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster.

Luzerne County

Greater Pittston Ambulance and Rescue VFRA

Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures, except for three findings: failure to deposit state aid, undocumented expenditures and failure to complete an accurate membership roster.

Schuylkill County

Deer Lake and West Brunswick Fire Co. No. 1 VFRA – No findings 

Washington County

Cecil Township Fire Co. No. 2 VFRA – No findings

York County

Felton VFRA 

Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures, except for one finding: non-compliance with prior audit recommendation for inadequate minutes of meetings.

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