History of Relief Associations in Pennsylvania

Origins of the Relief Association

In the early days of Pennsylvania's volunteer fire service, firefighters who were injured or killed in the line of duty had no safety net. There was no workers' compensation for volunteers, no insurance, and no formal support system. Communities recognized that the men and women who risked their lives deserved protection. Local relief funds were established informally — passed hats, benefit dinners, and community donations — to help injured firefighters and their families. These informal efforts eventually led to formal legal recognition.

Act 84 of 1968: The Foundation

The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Act 84 of 1968, the Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Association Act, now codified at 35 Pa.C.S. § 7411 et seq. This landmark legislation:

• Established the legal framework for creating and operating relief associations
• Defined relief associations as entities separate from fire companies
• Authorized specific categories of expenditures for firefighter benefit
• Created the mechanism for state aid distribution to support volunteer firefighters
• Required governance through bylaws and regular membership meetings

Act 84 gave relief associations their legal identity and mission: to provide financial protection and support to volunteer firefighters and their families.

Act 205 of 1984: Modernizing State Aid

The Municipal Pension Plan Funding Standard and Recovery Act (Act 205 of 1984) modernized how state aid reaches relief associations. Under this system:

• The Commonwealth collects a 2% tax on foreign fire insurance premiums (insurance written by companies not incorporated in Pennsylvania)
• Revenue is distributed to municipalities based on population and assessed property value
• Municipalities pass the funds to their local relief associations
• Relief associations must use the funds only for purposes authorized under Act 84

This created a sustainable, dedicated funding stream tied directly to fire protection.

The System Today

Today, Pennsylvania's relief association system is one of the most comprehensive volunteer firefighter support frameworks in the nation. Each municipality with a volunteer fire company may establish a relief association to manage state aid and provide benefits to its firefighters. The system is built on three principles: dedicated funding, local control, and state oversight.

Pennsylvania Auditor General Oversight

The Pennsylvania Auditor General conducts periodic audits of all relief associations to ensure compliance with authorized expenditure categories. These audits examine financial records, meeting minutes, and governance practices. Non-compliance can result in the loss of future state aid — a serious consequence that reinforces the importance of responsible stewardship. Audit reports are public record, ensuring transparency and accountability to both firefighters and taxpayers.