PITTSBURGH — UPMC has donated $10 million to the City of Pittsburgh for new ambulances, Mayor Corey O’Connor announced Thursday morning.
The gift will allow the city to purchase nine ambulances and a new rescue truck this year and a similar amount of equipment in 2027.
“This contribution reflects who we are at UPMC – a mission-driven institution committed to Pittsburgh’s well-being,” said Leslie Davis, president and CEO of UPMC. “This week highlighted the challenges facing the city’s aging EMS fleet and we recognized the urgency of the moment.”
The city said the purchase of the vehicles and equipment will be done in phases to stagger the maintenance and lifetime of the vehicles.
“The very first EMS started here in Pittsburgh, but for years we’ve been expecting our critical first responders to deliver life-saving services with an old, unreliable fleet,” O’Connor said. “UPMC saw what was happening, approached us and stepped up to partner with us on this game-changing investment. Their leadership sets the tone for what it means to invest in the well-being of our residents.”
O’Connor said the donation will also free up funds to purchase 35 Department of Public Works vehicles.
“We made a dedication to the City of Pittsburgh and residents that we were going to address this issue,” O’Connor said during Thursday’s press conference.
O’Connor said most of their fleet, 50% of them ambulances, have over 75,000 miles.
“This is a significant investment in our fleet at a critical time,” City Controller Rachael Heisler said. “As we noted in our special report on the fleet this past November, our region’s large non-profit partners, like UPMC, have a direct interest in ensuring that the City has safe, reliable vehicles to clear snow from the streets, get patients to hospitals, respond to emergencies, and keep people safe. I appreciate that UPMC recognizes that shared interest and is committed to helping the City provide the essential services we all rely on.”
During clean-up following Sunday’s major winter storm, O’Connor said that the city was down to about 50 trucks after dozens went out.
11 Investigates has documented mechanical and other problems with ambulances and other city vehicles, from public works to garbage trucks to fire trucks and police cars.
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