Harmony Fire District Relief Association

“VOTING MEMBERS”

“All of the organization's members vote on election of officers.”

“990 is reviewed by the treasurer and president. Copies are kept on file and can be reviewed by members and the public upon request”

“Documents are made available to the public upon request”

“Volunteer firefighters relief associations are separate legal organizations affiliated with volunteer fire companies and/or volunteer fire departments (herein referred to as fire company). The volunteer firefighters relief association (vfra) is a separate legal entity from the fire company. Vfras are funded by a statutory disbursement of foreign fire insurance tax funds. Disbursements are made to the vfras local municipality who then will forward the funds to the vfra. The purpose of the vfra is to encourage individuals to take part in the fire service as a volunteer and to provide funds for the protection of the volunteer firefighter and their heirs. According to act 118 of 2010, vfras may use their funds for the following purposes: to purchase investments to earn additional income. To pay costs to a member or a decessed members family for infirmity or other disability suffered in partcipation in fire service. To provide death benefits. To pay for safety training and safety equipment. To purchase fire hoses, nozzels, and safegaurds. To purchase fire prevention materials for public distribution.”

“The foreign fire insurance tax distribution law was passed as part of act 205 of 1984, the municipal pension plan funding standard and recovery act (commonly referred to as "act 205," 53 p.s. 895.101 et. Seq.). Specifically, chapter 7 of act 205 sets forth the provisions of the foreign fire insurance tax distribution law (53 p.s. 895.701-895.706). The source of the monies is a 2 percent tax on foreign fire insurance premiums. (the term foreign fire insurance means fire insurance written by an insurance company which is not incorporated in the commonwealth of pennsylvania.) the commonwealth allocation to volunteer firefighters relief associations is determined by a formula based on the population and the market value of real estate for each municipality.”