Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in Six Counties
Auditor General DePasquale Releases Audits for Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Associations in Six Counties
HARRISBURG (Sept. 3, 2019) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Allegheny, Bucks, Indiana, Lawrence, Luzerne and Montgomery counties.
“Volunteer firefighters’ relief associations help to provide essential life-saving equipment, critical training and insurance for thousands of volunteer firefighters and emergency service providers,” DePasquale said.
VFRAs 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 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
Turtle Creek VFRA – No findings
Bucks County
Lingohocken VFRA – No findings
Indiana County
Creekside VFRA – No findings
Lawrence County
South New Castle Borough VFRA – No findings
Luzerne 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 inadequate minutes of meetings.
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 two findings: undocumented expenditures and inadequate signatory authority for the disbursement of funds.
The VFRA did not provide sufficient documentation to support $36,435 in insurance vendor expenses. Checks contained the signature of one officer although two signatures are required.
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