What is a volunteer fire relief association?

A volunteer fire relief association is a governmental entity that receives and manages public money to provide retirement benefits for individuals providing the governmental services of firefighting and emergency first response. The relief association is a separate entity from the affiliated fire department, and is governed by its own board of trustees. Relief associations have various reporting requirements with the Office of the State Auditor, as well as with other state and federal agencies. The Office of the State Auditor certifies relief associations as eligible for state aid once all reporting information has been received and any identified issues have been resolved.