The state Auditor General’s office is commending the Pleasant Township Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association for taking corrective action recommended during a prior audit.

Timothy DeFoor, state auditor general, said a recently completed audit of the period from Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2024, found the Pleasant Township Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association remedied a problem found in a prior audit with untimely deposits of state aid.

“We commend the relief association management for its efforts in complying with the finding and recommendation contained in the prior audit report,” DeFoor’s audit said. “The relief association should strive to remain in compliance with all applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures.”

There were no other issues found in the audit.

The Department of the Auditor General distributes state aid for VFRAs and audits how they use the funds, which come from a 2% tax on fire insurance policies sold in Pennsylvania by out-of-state companies. In 2025, $73 million went to 2,507 municipalities for distribution to VFRAs to provide training, purchase equipment and insurance, and pay for death benefits for volunteer firefighters.

Funds are allocated through the department and local municipalities to nearly 2,000 volunteer firefighter relief associations to enable the purchase of training, equipment and insurance, and pay for death benefits for volunteer firefighters.

In 2025, Warren County fire departments received $168,709.26 in FRA funding and $801,786 in pension payments. Half of the pension payments ($495,317.16) were released to the city of Warren. The top three FRA disbursements to county fire departments were Conewango Township ($20,482.85), Pine Grove ($15,688.90) and Pleasant Township ($13,253.54).

Volunteer Fire Relief Associations may have future state aid withheld if they do not follow applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws, and administrative procedures – though no money was withheld from Warren County fire departments in 2025. Relief associations are separate legal entities from the fire departments they support.

The department is required by law to audit volunteer fire relief associations and municipal pension plans that receive state aid through the department, liquid fuels tax usage by municipalities, various county offices, and many other state government entities.

“Relief associations provide vital support to Pennsylvania’s dedicated first responders,” DeFoor said. “Our audits make sure state aid is used to equip and protect volunteer firefighters and the communities they serve.”