Delaware Volunteer Fire Service Special Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2021

What Was Performed? A special report of the Delaware Volunteer Fire Service for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. The Delaware Volunteer Fire Service is responsible for fire, rescue, emergency medical and other emergency-response-related services for local jurisdictions. Their operational activities include accounting, equipment purchases and maintenance of vehicles and gear, and management of facilities. Why This Engagement? This engagement was performed in accordance with 16 Del. C. § 6608, which requires each volunteer fire company to submit a completed audit by an independent certified public accounting firm to the State Fire Commission annually within six months of the end of the fiscal year. What Was Found? After performing a detailed cost analysis of all volunteer fire companies’ annual financial statements, my team and I determined that the Volunteer Fire Service saved Delaware taxpayers approximately $255.7 million in FY21. This amount was determined by figuring how much it would cost for the state to have a fully paid fire service instead of having one that largely uses volunteers. In addition, the Audit Team continues to recommend that the Delaware General Assembly create a fund independent of Grant-In-Aid to assist Delaware’s Volunteer Fire Service. The Delaware Fire Service special report for fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, can be found on our website auditor.delaware.gov