Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in Seven Counties
Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in Seven Counties
HARRISBURG (June 10, 2020) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Berks, Bradford, Cambria, Erie, Fayette, Luzerne and Washington counties.
“Relief associations support fire and rescue crews as they perform their dedicated, often heroic, duties,” DePasquale said. “Because state aid only goes so far, please remember your local first responders when making donations to benefit your community.”
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.
Berks County
Brecknock Township Fire Co. No. 1 VFRA
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: noncompliance with prior audit recommendations for failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster, inadequate relief association bylaws and failure to deposit insurance claim proceeds.
Gibraltar VFRA – No findings.
Bradford 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: undocumented expenditures and untimely receipt and deposit of state aid.
As a result of the audit, the affiliated fire company reimbursed the VFRA $420 for undocumented training expenses.
Cambria 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: untimely deposit of state aid and unauthorized expenditures for vehicle maintenance.
As a result of the audit, the affiliated fire company reimbursed the VFRA $11,619 for maintenance of vehicles owned by the fire company.
Erie County
Edinboro VFRA – No findings.
Fayette County
Masontown VFRA – No findings.
Luzerne County
Greater Pittston Ambulance and Rescue VFRA – No findings.
Rescue Hose Co. No. 1 of Ashley VFRA – No findings.
Washington County
Ellsworth VFRA – No findings.
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