Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 20 Counties
Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in 20 Counties
HARRISBURG (June 26, 2019) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Fayette, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montgomery, Schuylkill, Somerset, Venango, Washington, Wayne and Westmoreland counties.
“My audits of volunteer firefighter relief associations ensure that critical funds are used properly in helping volunteer firefighters save lives and protect communities,” DePasquale said.
The Department of the Auditor General audits VFRAs, 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 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
Braddock Fire Department No. 2 VFRA – No findings
East McKeesport VFRA – No findings
Heidelberg VFRA – No findings
Beaver County
Chippewa Township VFRA – No findings
Patterson Township VFRA – No findings
Bedford County
Alum Bank Community VFRA – No findings
Berks County
Kenhorst VFRA – No findings
Bucks 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 maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster.
Chester County
Wagontown VFRA – No findings
Fayette 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 insufficient bond coverage.
Franklin County
Franklin VFRA – No findings
Lackawanna 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.
The VFRA did not provide adequate documentation to support $650 in training vendor expenses.
Lancaster County
Brickerville VFRA – No finding
Lawrence 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: non-compliance with prior audit recommendation for inadequate relief association bylaws.
Luzerne County
Pittston VFRA – No findings
Lycoming 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 failure to secure possession of all relief association-owned equipment.
The association did not secure all assets from the former South Williamsport Joint Firemen’s Relief Association after it was dissolved.
Montgomery 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 a complete and accurate membership roster and noncompliance with prior audit recommendations for failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster and inadequate minutes of meetings.
The VFRA did not provide adequate documentation for $13,718 in training, equipment and insurance vendor costs, dues and mileage reimbursements. The two biggest expenditures included: $9,017 for an insurance vendor and $2,000 for training.
Schuylkill County
Donaldson Fire Co. No. 1 VFRA – No findings
Shenandoah VFRA – No findings
Somerset County
New Centerville and Rural Firefighters VFRA – No findings
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 one finding: failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster.
Washington County
Donora VFRA – No findings
Wayne County
Beach Lake VFRA – No findings
Westmoreland County
Chestnut Ridge VFRA – No findings
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