Pennsylvania Audit Finds Issues With 15 of 43 Volunteer Firefighters’ Associations

Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy DeFoor released audit reports for 43 volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) in 30 Pennsylvania counties. The reports show 28 with no adverse findings and 15 with a compliance or expenditure issue of some kind.

The audits are conducted to make sure relief associations are “properly using state funds to help first responders protect communities and save lives,” DeFoor said.

His office distributes state aid for VFRAs and audits how they use the funds, which are generated by a 2% tax on fire insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania by out-of-state companies. In 2021, $54 million went to 2,517 municipalities for distribution to VFRAs to provide training, purchase equipment and insurance, and pay for death benefits for volunteer firefighters., according to the auditor.

VFRAs risk having future state aid withheld if they do not comply with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures. Relief associations are separate legal entities from the fire departments they support.

The 15 VFRAs where issues were found are: