HARRISBURG – Auditor General Timothy DeFoor announced the release of an audit report for Mount Jewett Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Association in McKean County.

“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.”

There was one finding in the audit. According to the report, Mount Jewett Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Association was found to have inadequate minutes of meetings as required by relief association bylaws. The minutes did not address all financial-related transactions during the audit period, according to the report. The nominations and election of officers were not noted in the minutes either.

The cause, the report noted, was an oversight, because the members didn’t know that detailed minutes were required. The VFRA officials agreed with the finding and agreed to remedy the issue.

The Department of the Auditor General 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 2024, $68.26 million went to 2,501 municipalities for distribution to VFRAs to provide training, purchase equipment and insurance, and pay for death benefits for volunteer firefighters.