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 (June 30, 2020) – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the release of audit reports for volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in Allegheny, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Schuylkill, Sullivan and York counties.
“My oversight of relief associations helps to make sure volunteer firefighters have the resources they need to protect our citizens and communities,” DePasquale said. “State aid must be used efficiently and effectively to help purchase life-saving equipment, training and insurance for thousands of first-responders.”
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.
Allegheny County
Millvale 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: failure to adhere to relief association bylaws.
The VFRA failed to elect a vice president as outlined in the bylaws.
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: undocumented expenditures.
The VFRA could not adequately document $2,667 in training expenses.
Schuylkill County
Pine Grove VFRA – No findings.
Sullivan County
Forksville VFRA – No findings.
York County
Jackson Township VFRA – No findings.
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