HARRISBURG — Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor announced the release of an audit report for the volunteer firefighters’ relief associations (VFRAs) for Clermont Volunteer Fire Department in McKean County.

There were no findings.

“Our audits help make sure that volunteer firefighters have the support and resources they need to keep our citizens and communities safe,” DeFoor said.

DeFoor applauded the Clermont VFRA for having no audit findings.

The Department of the Auditor General distributes state aid for 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.

In 2020, $60.25 million went to 2,518 municipalities for distribution to VFRAs to provide training, purchase equipment and insurance, and pay for death benefits for volunteer firefighters.

Relief associations are separate legal entities from the fire departments they support. VFRAs must comply with applicable state laws, contracts, bylaws and administrative procedures in managing the receipt and expenditure of relief association funds or face the potential withholding of future state aid.