Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 18 Counties


September 22 2016
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Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 18 Counties

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HARRISBURG (Sept. 22, 2016) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations in Allegheny, Armstrong, Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Delaware, Fayette, Huntingdon, Lawrence, Luzerne, McKean, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Snyder, Venango, Westmoreland 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 2015, $65.94 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

Fairview VFRA – No findings 

Armstrong County

Leechburg VFRA – No findings  

Centre County

Port Matilda 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: unauthorized expenditures, inadequate relief association bylaws and non-compliance with prior audit recommendation for insufficient bond coverage. 

Chester County

Phoenixville 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: insufficient bond coverage.

Valley Forge VFRA – No findings 

Clearfield County

Wilburne 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 proceeds from investments sold, undocumented expenditures and unauthorized expenditures.

Delaware County

Reliance Hook and Ladder 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 ownership of vehicles.

Fayette County

Smithfield VFRA – No findings  

Huntingdon County

Warriors Mark-Franklin 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: insufficient bond coverage.

Lawrence County

Taylor Township 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: insufficient bond coverage.

Volant VFRA – No findings  

Luzerne County

Sugarloaf VFRA 

Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures, except for two findings: inadequate minutes of meetings and payment of Pennsylvania sales tax.

McKean County

Norwich Township 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: unauthorized expenditures.

Mercer County 

Sandy Lake 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: unauthorized expenditures, undocumented expenditures, insufficient bond coverage and failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster.

Monroe County

Pocono Township 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: insufficient bond coverage.

Montgomery County

Willow Grove 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: insufficient bond coverage.

Snyder County

Bannerville VFRA – No findings 

Venango County

Reno 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: undocumented expenditures, unauthorized expenditures and insufficient bond coverage. 

Westmoreland County

New Florence 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 blank checks.

York County

Penn Township 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: unsecured loan, duplicate payment and inadequate relief association bylaws. 

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