Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 19 Counties
Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 19 Counties
HARRISBURG (June 17, 2019) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Fayette, Lackawanna, Lancaster, McKean, Montgomery, Schuylkill, Somerset, Snyder and York counties.
“Volunteer firefighter relief associations are essential in helping fire and rescue crews perform their dedicated, often heroic, duties. We are forever grateful,” DePasquale said.
The Department of the Auditor General audits volunteer firefighters’ relief associations, which 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 in state aid for distribution to local VFRAs to provide training, purchase equipment and insurance, and pay for death benefits for volunteer firefighters.
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
Liberty Borough VFRA – No findings
Skyview VFRA – No findings
Whitaker VFRA – No findings
Beaver County
Potter Township VFRA – No findings
Bucks County
Eagle Fire Company VFRA – No findings
Ivyland VFRA – No findings
Newton VFRA – No findings
Riegelsville VFRA – No findings
Cambria County
Franklin Borough VFRA – No findings
Carbon County
Nesquehoning VFRA – No findings
Weatherly VFRA – No findings
Centre County
Pleasant Gap VFRA – No findings
Chester County
Ludwig’s Corner VFRA – No findings
Clearfield County
Osceola Mills VFRA – No findings
Clinton County
Haneyville VFRA – No findings
Columbia County
Summerhill VFRA – No findings
Fayette County
Fairchance VFRA – No findings
Lackawanna County
Blakely Borough VFRA – No findings
Lancaster 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: undocumented expenditures, failure to maintain bond coverage, inadequate minutes of meetings and noncompliance with prior audit recommendation for failure to obtain a sales tax exemption number.
The VFRA was unable to provide adequate documentation for $2,580 in fire company expenses.
McKean 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: undocumented expenditures.
As a result of the audit, the VFRA provided adequate documentation to support $1,072 in training vendor expenses.
Montgomery County
George Clay VFRA – No findings
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: unauthorized expenditures, failure to define discretionary benefits and failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster.
The VFRA spent $10,400 for LED lighting of the firehouse, an expense which is not authorized under state law.
Souderton VFRA – No findings
Schuylkill County
Branch Township VFRA – No findings
Somerset County
Addison VFRA – No findings
Snyder County
Penns Creek VFRA – No findings
York County
Porters Community VFRA – No findings
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.
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