Auditor General DePasquale Clears Audit Backlog, Increases Transparency for Audits of Volunteer Firefighter Relief Associations
VFRA audit reports web postings will now be more accessibleAuditor General DePasquale Clears Audit Backlog, Increases Transparency for Audits of Volunteer Firefighter Relief Associations
VFRA audit reports web postings will now be more accessible
HARRISBURG (Jan. 17, 2014) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today said his department has cleared a backlog of 400 audit reports for volunteer firefighter relief associations as he announced the release of VFRA audits in Allegheny, Berks, Butler, Cambria, Chester, Delaware, Erie, Fayette and York counties.
“One of the things I learned in my first year as auditor general is that we need to do all we can to promote openness and transparency when it comes to how public funds are used,” DePasquale said. “Now that a backlog of volunteer firefighter relief association audits is cleared, we will announce new audits as they are posted to our website for public review.
The department’s Bureau of Firefighters’ Relief Association Audits examines volunteer firefighter relief associations, which receive state aid from a two-percent state tax on fire insurance premiums purchased by Pennsylvania residents from out-of-state casualty insurance companies. VFRAs are non-profit organizations established to provide financial protection to volunteer firefighters.
“I have the utmost respect and admiration for the often thankless work these dedicated men and women of the VRFAs do behind the scenes to assure that volunteer first-responders are ready to respond in a time of need,” DePasquale said.
In 2013, $72 million in state funds was required to be distributed through funding municipalities to nearly 1,950 VFRAs to provide training, purchase equipment and insurance, and pay for death benefits for volunteer firefighters.
The full Allegheny County
Castle Shannon VFRA
Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures.
Berks County
Cedar Top VFRA
Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures.
Butler County
Chicora VFRA
Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures.
Cambria County
Colver VFRA
Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures.
Chester County
Good Fellowship 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 regarding duplicate payments, inadequate meeting minutes and noncompliance with prior audit recommendation for unauthorized expense.
Delaware County
Concord 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: unauthorized expenditures, insufficient bond coverage and incomplete and inaccurate equipment roster.
Erie County
Corry VFRA
Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures.
Fayette County
Bullskin Township VFRA
Received and expended state aid and accumulated relief funds in compliance with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures.
York County
Citizens (Fawn Grove) 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 regarding: failure to maintain meeting minutes, failure to maintain an accurate equipment roster, untimely deposit of state aid and inadequate signatory authority to disburse funds.
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