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 (Nov. 6, 2019) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Delaware, Fayette, Northampton, Schuylkill, Somerset and Wyoming counties.
“Volunteer firefighters’ relief associations help to provide essential life-saving equipment, critical training and insurance for thousands of volunteer firefighters and emergency service providers,” DePasquale said.
State aid for VFRAs comes from a 2 percent tax on fire insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania by out-of-state companies. This year, 2,518 municipalities received nearly $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.
Allegheny County
Harrison Hills VFRA – No findings.
Armstrong County
Pine Township VFRA – No findings.
Beaver County
Darlington Township VFRA – No findings.
Cambria County
Daisytown Borough VFRA – No findings.
Richland Township VFRA – No findings.
Delaware 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: noncompliance with audit recommendations for inadequate minutes of meetings and failure to conduct annual equipment inventories.
Fayette County
Edenborn VFRA – No findings.
Northampton 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: failure to deposit proceeds from equipment sold and failure to secure ownership interest in jointly purchased vehicle.
The VFRA contributed $15,000 toward the purchase of a 2018 Pierce Pumper, but did not secure an ownership interest in the vehicle as is required.
Schuylkill County
Delano Township VFRA – No findings.
Somerset County
Bakersville VFRA – No findings.
Wyoming 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: unauthorized expenditures.
The VFRA spent $614 on uniform badges, white parade gloves and a parade bell cap, which are not qualified expenses under law. As a result of the audit, the affiliated hose company reimbursed the VFRA.
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