News | 27 Aug 2025

Best Practices for Successful Public Employer Apprenticeship Programs

Public employers engage a variety of skilled trades. From truck mechanics to carpenters to electric line workers, these employees deliver essential services as well as service fleet and property assets. Unfortunately, the U.S. has been experiencing a skilled trade worker shortfall. We have witnessed this phenomenon locally as multiple Trust members report recruitment and retention …

News | 26 Aug 2025

The Importance of Being an Active Trustee

As a member of the Delaware Valley Health, Workers’ Compensation, and/or Property & Liability Trusts, your organization is part of a unique, member-owned risk pool dedicated to providing comprehensive, cost-effective coverage exclusive  to public entities. Membership in the Delaware Valley Trusts offers significant benefits, but also carries vital responsibilities, especially for those appointed as Trustees. …

News | 25 Aug 2025

How the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” will Impact Employee Benefits

On July 14, 2025, President Trump signed into law a comprehensive tax and budget reconciliation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (The Act). The Health Trust is providing members with a summary of key Employee Benefit provisions of the Act. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Effective January 1, 2026, Telehealth (Teladoc) services will no …

News | 04 Aug 2025

Storm Water Management: A Cautionary Tale and a Call to Action

As we continue to navigate the complexities of municipal planning and infrastructure, it’s crucial to underscore the importance of thoroughly vetting decisions related to Storm Water Management. Many of you have likely experienced pushback from residents when changes are proposed under the Storm Water Management Act, and unfortunately, such resistance can escalate into costly and time-consuming litigation. …

News | 01 Aug 2025

NIOSH Issues Risk Alert on Certain Firefighter SCBA Facepiece Lenses

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has observed several incidences of severe thermal degradation and failure of certain older model Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) facepiece lenses. The premature degradation (i.e., holes, melting, and deformation) occurs when the equipment is exposed to typical fire environments. The concerning equipment has in common that it …

News | 28 Jul 2025

Do I Need to Buy Insurance from the Car Rental Company When Traveling for Work?

If you’re a DVPLT Member traveling for work, the short answer is: no, you do not need to purchase additional insurance from the rental car company. DVPLT provides hired auto liability coverage for vehicles rented in the course of official duties. This coverage is typically excess over the rental company’s minimum required liability insurance. However, if the rental agreement …

News | 24 Jul 2025

Cybersecurity Possible Critical Vulnerability: Microsoft SharePoint Servers

Review the full advisory from Beazley Security Lab here: 🔗 SharePoint 0Day Vulnerability Under Active Exploitation (CVE-2025-53770) Overview of the Threat On July 18, 2025, the cybersecurity community identified active exploitation of a critical zero-day Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in on-premises Microsoft SharePoint servers. Tracked as CVE-2025-53770 and dubbed “ToolShell,” this flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to: Upload malicious ASP.NET …

News | 17 Jul 2025

Hinge Health Launch – July 14, 2025

As a member enrolled in an Aetna medical plan through the Delaware Valley Health Trust, you and your eligible dependents (ages 18+) now have access to Hinge Health — a virtual physical therapy program designed to help you feel your best, at no cost to you. With Hinge Health, you can: Recover from injuries Relieve …

News | 17 Jul 2025

Paid vs. Volunteer Firefighters and DVWCT

In Pennsylvania there’s been a noticeable decline in the number of available volunteer firefighters, and many communities are starting to feel the impact. A combination of factors such as increasingly demanding training requirements, evolving personal and professional commitments, and an aging volunteer base has made it difficult for departments to maintain adequate staffing levels. Compounding …

News | 14 Jul 2025

The Delaware Valley Health Trust: A Model of Civil Engagement in Health Care

“The noblest motive is the public good.” ~ Virgil Acknowledgements: First appeared in the Pennsylvania Municipal League  “Municipal Reporter”, April 2025 Civic engagement is defined by engagement in activities which improve one’s community or address wider social issues. As a non-profit, health pool formed and operated by its public entity members, The Delaware Valley Health …