Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 11 Counties
Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 11 Counties
HARRISBURG (Aug. 20, 2019) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Allegheny, Bucks, Delaware, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lawrence, Montgomery, Schuylkill, Tioga, Westmoreland and York counties.
“My oversight of volunteer firefighters’ relief associations helps emergency-services volunteers protect our citizens and communities,” DePasquale said. “I want to make sure state aid is used efficiently and effectively to help purchase life-saving equipment, training and insurance for our first responders.”
VFRAs 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 2018, 2,518 municipalities received $55.1 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
Upper St. Clair VFRA – No findings
Bucks County
Newport Fire Co. No. 1 VFRA – No findings
Upper Makefield VFRA – No findings
Delaware County
Boothwyn Fire Co. No. 1 VFRA – No findings
Franklin 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: non-compliance with prior audit recommendation for failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster; and unauthorized expenditures involving $1,500 in death benefits.
Lackawanna County
Clark Summit Fire Co. No. 1 VFRA – No findings
Lawrence County
Shenango Township VFRA – No findings
Montgomery County
Rockledge Fire Co. No. 1 VFRA – No findings
Schuylkill County
Schuylkill Township VFRA – No findings
Tioga County
Westfield VFRA – No findings
Westmoreland County
Fairfield Township VFRA – No findings
Harrison City VFRA – No findings
Smithton VFRA – No findings
York 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: VFRA bank accounts were inappropriately registered under the affiliated fire service organization’s name.
As a result of the audit, the accounts are being changed into the relief association’s name.
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