HARRISBURG — Auditor General Timothy DeFoor announced four findings on an audit of the St. Marys Firemen’s Relief Association.
The relief association spent $8,263 to maintain equipment owned by the affiliated fire company, which is not authorized by state law.
According to the audit report, relief association officials indicated they thought the equipment was owned by the relief association, and indicated they will follow the auditor’s recommendation of seeking reimbursement from the fire department.
The association spent $28,586 in jointly purchased equipment without securing ownership interests. The auditor recommended the relief association execute formal written agreements with the City of St. Marys to enumerate proportional ownership interest, or seek reimbursement for the $28,586. Officials indicated they will comply.
The VFRA failed to maintain detailed minutes of meetings and a complete and accurate equipment roster. Officials said the secretary had passed away, and there was a change in the person holding the position. The auditor recommended maintaining detailed minutes of meetings, and officials agreed.
“Thousands of volunteer firefighters benefit from the state aid delivered through relief associations,” DeFoor said. “My audits make sure they have the life-saving equipment, critical training and insurance they need to help keep Pennsylvanians safe.”
The Department of the Auditor General distributes state aid to VFRAs and audits how they use the funds, which are generated by a 2 percent tax on fire insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania by out-of-state companies.
Audit reports are available online.
