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. 30, 2020) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Allegheny, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Fayette, Luzerne, McKean, Sullivan and Washington counties.
“My audits help to ensure volunteer firefighters have the resources they need to 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 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 2019, 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
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: unauthorized expenditures and inappropriate ownership of a rescue vehicle.
The VFRA inappropriately spent $682 on the affiliated fire company’s bond premiums. The VFRA also spent $36,730 on a rescue vehicle but the title was issued in the name of the affiliated fire company.
Butler County
Chicora VFRA – No findings.
Clarion 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 duties.
One person currently holds the positions of secretary and treasurer.
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 one finding: noncompliance with prior audit recommendation for undocumented expenditures.
Dauphin County
Harrisburg VFRA – No findings.
Delaware County
Concord Township VFRA – No findings.
Erie County
Elgin-Beaverdam Hose Company VFRA – No findings.
Fayette County
Luzerne Township VFRA – No findings.
Luzerne County
Dupont Hose Co. No. 1 VFRA – No findings.
McKean County
Smethport VFRA – No findings.
Sullivan 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 prior audit recommendations for inadequate minutes of meetings and failure to adhere to relief association bylaws that call for five trustees to serve as officers.
Washington County
Cecil Township Fire Co. No. 3 VFRA – No findings.
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