BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Pennsylvania is distributing more than $71.3 million in state aid to volunteer firefighter relief associations across 2,501 municipalities, providing funding for emergency equipment, training and insurance as volunteer fire companies face mounting financial pressures.
Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor detailed the 2026 allocations Thursday alongside state Sen. Frank Farry in Bucks County, where the Firemen’s Relief Association of Warrington Township received $215,228.98.
The Southeast/Greater Philadelphia region received $21.44 million, the largest regional allocation statewide, accounting for approximately 30% of the total distribution.
The funding will support approximately 1,850 volunteer firefighter relief associations, which operate as legally separate organizations from the fire departments they serve. These associations use state aid to help finance resources necessary for emergency response operations.
“This crucial funding will help approximately 1,850 volunteer firefighter relief associations to provide equipment, training and insurance for Pennsylvania’s volunteer first responders,” DeFoor said.
The auditor general also pointed to the financial demands placed on volunteer emergency responders, who frequently must raise money to maintain their operations.
“At a time when many volunteers are spending more time raising money than fighting fires, these state funds are more important than ever,” he added.
The annual distribution is financed through a 2% state tax on fire insurance premiums purchased by Pennsylvania residents from insurance companies based outside the commonwealth.
Because the amount collected depends on taxable insurance premiums, the revenue available for distribution fluctuates annually.
The 2026 allocation totals $71,278,493.39, distributed across seven regions.
The Southeast/Greater Philadelphia region leads with $21,441,277.16, followed by the Susquehanna Valley at $17,414,409.64 and Greater Pittsburgh at $13,462,059.44.
Other regional allocations include $7,255,485.58 for the Northeast, $5,132,084.82 for Central Pennsylvania, $3,886,128.02 for the Lehigh Valley and $2,696,048.73 for the Northwest.
Farry, who represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Senatorial District, emphasized the importance of predictable funding for volunteer fire companies.
“As a fire chief and active volunteer firefighter for 37 years, I know firsthand how important this funding is to ensure our volunteer fire companies are prepared with the proper resources to respond when emergencies happen,” Farry said.
The state distributes the money to municipalities for allocation to eligible volunteer firefighter relief associations, rather than providing the funds directly to individual fire departments.
The Department of the Auditor General also audits the associations to determine whether expenditures comply with Pennsylvania law.
That oversight covers the use of public funding for authorized purposes, including equipment, training and insurance intended to support volunteer emergency responders.
The allocations provide an annual source of state financial assistance for Pennsylvania’s volunteer fire service, reducing some of the costs that local organizations would otherwise need to cover through fundraising and other revenue.
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