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 (Jan. 5, 2021) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Blair, Butler, Clinton, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Jefferson, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Venango, Wayne and York counties.
“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. 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.
Blair 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 a rescue vehicle.
A rescue vehicle, purchased by the relief association for $10,000, was incorrectly titled to the affiliated fire company.
Butler County
Prospect VFRA – No findings.
Clinton 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: insufficient bond coverage, failure to secure ownership interest in jointly purchased vehicle and failure to segregate relief association officers’ duties.
The relief association paid $16,594 toward the joint purchase of a vehicle with the affiliated fire company but did not secure a formal written agreement to reflect its ownership interest.
Crawford 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: failure to maintain minutes of meetings, unauthorized expenditures and relief association financial accounts inappropriately registered under an inaccurate federal tax identification number.
The relief association spent $765 on a convention which did not involve training.
Erie County
Greenfield Township VFRA – No findings.
Fayette County
South Union VFRA – No findings.
Jefferson County
Sigel VFRA – No findings.
Northumberland 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.
A rescue vehicle, purchased by the relief association for $15,000, was incorrectly titled to the affiliated fire company.
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: untimely deposit of state aid.
Venango 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 four findings: failure to comply with terms of two loan agreements, failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster, inadequate minutes of meetings and noncompliance with prior audit recommendation for undocumented expenditures.
The relief association did not adequately document $6,414 in training expenses.
Wayne County
Waymart VFRA – No findings.
York County
Yorkana VFRA – No findings.
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