Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 12 Counties
Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 12 Counties
HARRISBURG (Nov. 24, 2020) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Allegheny, Beaver, Blair, Butler, Columbia, Jefferson, Lackawanna, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Tioga, Westmoreland 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. In 2020, $60.25 million went to 2,518 municipalities 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
Munhall VFRA – No findings.
Beaver County
Vanport Township VFRA – No findings.
Blair County
Williamsburg VFRA - No findings.
Butler County
Oakland Township-Oneida Valley VFRA
Columbia 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: noncompliance with prior audit recommendation for undocumented expenditures.
The VFRA had $364 in undocumented expenditures for office supplies, maintenance and insurance.
Jefferson 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: undocumented and unauthorized expenditures.
The VFRA could not provide supporting documentation for a $2,565 expense paid to a VFRA member. It also had $819 in expenditures for spill-mitigation supplies that are not specifically authorized by law.
Lackawanna County
Chinchilla 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 one finding: inadequate minutes of meetings and insufficient bond coverage.
The VFRA had $61,023 in cash assets but only $50,000 in bond coverage.
Susquehanna 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 segregate relief association officers’ duties.
One individual held the positions of secretary and treasurer.
Tioga County
Morris Township Ambulance Association VFRA
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 failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster.
Westmoreland 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: inappropriate ownership of rescue vehicle due to improper title.
The title of a rescue vehicle was improperly held in the name of the affiliated fire company.
Wyoming County
Noxen VFRA – No findings.
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