Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in Five Counties
Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in Five Counties
HARRISBURG (Feb. 20, 2020) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Bucks, Centre, Cumberland, Huntingdon and Mercer 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 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.
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: noncompliance with prior audit recommendation involving a duplicate payment.
As a result of the audit, the VFRA was reimbursed $182 from the affiliated fire company for a duplicate payment.
Centre 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: inadequate minutes of meetings and insufficient bond coverage.
As a result of the audit, the association increased its bond coverage to $2 million.
Cumberland County
Mechanicsburg VFRA – No findings.
Huntingdon 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 five findings: unauthorized expenditures, undocumented expenditures, inadequate internal controls, inadequate signatory authority for disbursement of funds, and failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster.
The VFRA had $1,788 in unauthorized expenses, which included: $70 for training a non-member; $480 for health club memberships with no attendance records; and $1,238 on insurance premiums for EMS coverage.
Mercer County
Sandy Lake VFRA – No findings.
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