Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 10 Counties
Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 10 Counties
HARRISBURG (Oct. 28, 2020) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Beaver, Berks, Bucks, Elk, Greene, Jefferson, Montgomery, Schuylkill, Sullivan and Wyoming counties.
“My oversight of relief associations helps to make sure volunteer firefighters have the resources they need to protect our citizens and communities,” DePasquale said. “State aid must be used efficiently and effectively to help purchase life-saving equipment, training and insurance for thousands of first responders.”
State aid for VFRAs comes from a 2 percent tax on fire insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania by out-of-state companies. Each year, more than 2,500 municipalities receive approximately $60 million for distribution to VFRAs to provide training, purchase equipment and insurance, and pay for death benefits for volunteer firefighters.
The Department of the Auditor General distributes the state aid and audits VFRAs. 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.
Beaver County
Aliquippa VFRA – No findings.
Complied with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures as they relate to the receipt of state aid and the expenditure of relief association funds, except for one finding: noncompliance with prior audit recommendation for insufficient bond coverage.
The relief association had cash assets of more than $58,000 but only $45,000 in bond coverage.
Berks County
Complied with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures as they relate to the receipt of state aid and the expenditure of relief association funds, except for one finding: failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster.
Bucks County
Delaware Valley VFRA – No findings.
Elk County
Complied with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures as they relate to the receipt of state aid and the expenditure of relief association funds, except for three findings: inadequate bond coverage, failure to segregate relief association officer’s duties and inadequate signatory authority for the disbursement of funds and noncompliance with prior audit recommendation for undocumented expenditures.
The relief association failed to update its bond coverage policy after the organization’s treasurer died.
Greene County
Waynesburg and Franklin Township VFRA – No findings.
Jefferson County
McCalmont VFRA – No findings.
Montgomery County
Complied with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures as they relate to the receipt of state aid and the expenditure of relief association funds, except for one finding: inadequate minutes of meetings.
Willow Grove Fire Co. No. 1 VFRA - No findings.
Schuylkill County
Complied with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures as they relate to the receipt of state aid and the expenditure of relief association funds, except for two findings: inadequate minutes of meetings and unauthorized expenditure.
As a result of the audit, the affiliated fire company reimbursed the relief association $1,000 for an unauthorized donation made to a firefighters’ organization.
Sullivan County
Muncy Valley VFRA – No findings.
Wyoming County
Northmoreland Township VFRA – No findings.
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