Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in Nine Counties
Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in Nine Counties
HARRISBURG (April 12, 2018) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations in Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Erie, Indiana, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Snyder 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 2017, 2,521 municipalities received $60.6 million in fire relief association funding for distribution to local volunteer firefighters’ relief associations 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.
Berks County
Friendship Fire Co. No. 1 VFRA
Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures, except for four findings: failure to secure ownership interest in a jointly purchased vehicle, failure to maintain a Pennsylvania sales tax exemption number and non-compliance with audit findings for failure to obtain a federal tax identification number, and failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster.
Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures, except for two findings: insufficient bond coverage and inadequate minutes of meetings.
Mt. Penn Fire Co. VFRA – No findings
Chester County
Sadsbury VFRA – No findings
Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures, except for two findings: insufficient bond coverage and noncompliance with prior audit findings for failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster.
Cumberland County
Shippensburg VFRA – No findings
Erie County
Lake Shore VFRA – No findings
Indiana County
Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures, except for two findings: insufficient bond coverage and unauthorized expenditures.
Lackawanna County
Elmhurst-Roaring Brook VFRA – No findings
Luzerne County
Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures, except for one finding: erroneous transfer of funds.
Mt. Zion Bicentennial VFRA – No findings
Snyder County
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 internal controls.
York County
Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures, except for two findings: unsecured loan and inadequate administration of loan and failure to secure ownership interest in jointly purchased equipment.
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