Recent examples of fraud, mismanagement and embezzlement inside Delaware volunteer fire companies have precipitated state action which on Wednesday will take form as a task force focused on their financial management. Delaware's 60 volunteer companies — encompassing fire protection for the entirety of the state excluding Wilmington — are self-regulated entities required only to submit an annual report to the State Fire Prevention Commission. State officials believe this freedom has made their mission vulnerable to graft. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have disappeared from fire companies' coffers in recent years. These cases, only brought to light when reported to the state by the companies themselves, almost always involved high-level officials such as treasurers.