Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor is announcing UPMC is making a $10 million-dollar donation for the city to buy emergency response vehicles.
Speaking at the EMS Rescue 2 Station on the Boulevard of the Allies and standing in front of a 31-year-old rescue truck with over 100,000 miles on it, Mayor O’Connor says the gift will allow the city to buy nine ambulances and a rescue truck in 2026 with similar numbers in 2027.
O’Connor adds the money will also “free up funds in the city budget for us to purchase 35 DPW trucks this year. That goes to plows to helping the situations we’re dealing with right now.”
“Today’s announcement is about saving lives,” said O’Connor, adding the saved money will go toward road repair, filling potholes and more.
The purchases will be made in segments “to stagger the maintenance and lifetime of the vehicles,” per a release.
“As the region’s leading health care provider, UPMC is proud to step forward and support the City’s EMS system, which plays a vital role in caring for patients,” said Leslie C. Davis, President and CEO of UPMC. “Strong emergency response infrastructure is essential to a healthy community. We hope this contribution encourages other nonprofit institutions and private-sector partners to join us in supporting the City’s critical needs.
Another big donation from another prominent Pittsburgh corporation is expected in the coming days.
A report from the City Controller Rachael Heisler’s office highlights a drastic decline in emergency vehicles and an aging fleet.
The report states in 2018-2019 there were 144 vehicles for snow removal.
On January 26, the city had 50 trucks on the roads after 37 broke down. That number has increased with repairs over the past few days.
The average age of the Department of Public Works fleet is 11 years and the recommended age is 5 to 6 years.
Heisler’s report says that 41 percent of the DPW vehicles are past their recommended usage time.
The report also says the capital budget for Pittsburgh’s emergency vehicles goes up to $16.7 million this year but will fall to $3.6 million by 2028.
Heisler released a statement following UPMC's announcement:
“This is a significant investment in our fleet at a critical time. 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.
“This investment is one step toward establishing a reliable funding source dedicated to maintaining a healthy fleet in the long term. UPMC’s generous contribution sets an example for how non-profits can partner with the City to sustain essential services, and we hope it encourages similar commitments from others in supporting critical public operations.”