AUDITOR GENERAL MEETING ON VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS

 HARRISBURG, SEPT. 7 – State Sen. Connie Williams announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Auditor General has scheduled informational meetings across the Commonwealth to go over procedures and general administration of Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Associations.

 The meeting in Montgomery County will be held on Oct. 17^th at the Montgomery County Fire Academy, 1175 Conshohocken Road, Conshohocken. During the meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m., instruction will be provided by representatives of the Auditor General's office, Bureau of Firefighters' Relief Audits on proper record-keeping procedures, as well as information in the Management Guidelines for Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Associations manual. The department's 2006 edition of the manual will be distributed to all meeting participants.

 "These meetings are designed to assist local relief associations in meeting program guidelines. They are also a great opportunity to have specific questions answered," Williams said.

 The meetings are offered for free to volunteer emergency service personnel. Pre-registration by mail is requested. To verify course schedules or to make last minute registrations, people may call the Bureau of Firefighters' Relief Audits at 717-787-1308 or e-mail the bureau at fire@auditorgen.state.pa.us. Information about the new guidelines is available online at http://www.auditorgen.state.pa.us under the heading of "publications." Downloadable registration forms are available on the same Web site.

 Under Act 84, relief association officers may be reimbursed from relief associations for reasonable expenses incurred in attending the meetings.

 For more information or a registration form, emergency personnel may stop by or call either of Williams' district offices: 700 S. Henderson Road, Suite 100A, King of Prussia (610-992-9790); or Manoa Shopping Center, Suite 39, 1305 West Chester Pike, Havertown (610-853-5433).