1/29/2026
PITTSBURGH - UPMC today announced a $10 million contribution to the City of Pittsburgh to support the replacement of the city’s aging fleet of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) vehicles and equipment. This contribution will be used to purchase nine new ambulances and one 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.”
City of Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor called the contribution transformative.
“UPMC saw what was happening, approached us and stepped up to partner with us on this game-changing investment”, said O’Connor. “Their leadership sets the tone for what it means to invest in the well-being of our residents.”
UPMC’s support strengthens EMS and creates cascading benefits citywide. By alleviating the financial pressure on the EMS budget, the City can now redirect funds to purchase new vehicles for the Department of Public Works.
UPMC with its academic partner, the University of Pittsburgh, has a long history of innovation and support of emergency services and care. Peter Safar, M.D., was an anesthesiologist who is credited with developing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advocating its use by laypeople, and he also was instrumental in establishing Pittsburgh's Freedom House Ambulance Service.
For more than 50 years, UPMC emergency medicine physicians – currently, Leonard Weiss, M.D. – have served the Pittsburgh community as medical directors of the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety.
“Innovations in patient care have happened due to a very strong and unique partnership between the City, UPMC and Pitt Department of Emergency Medicine,” said Don Yealy, M.D., UPMC chief medical officer. “We bring physicians to the paramedics to support and advise on the care of patients’ urgent medical needs, and to improve care and add to first responders’ knowledge. Emergency care in Pittsburgh is one of the model sites in the nation because of the UPMC, City of Pittsburgh and Pitt partnership.”
As Pittsburgh continues to modernize essential public services, UPMC is proud to stand alongside civic leaders and first responders to support a healthier, safer future for everyone across the region.
“Our investment in our community today is not in isolation, nor is it something new,” Davis added. “From initiatives like the Pittsburgh Promise to Second Avenue Commons to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, UPMC has consistently invested in the strength, vitality and future of this city by partnering with previous administrations as well – because caring for our community has always been at the heart of who we are.”
Photos (Click image for high-resolution version)
Caption: (Left to Right) Jonathan Atkinson, president of the Fraternal Association of Professional Paramedics Local 1; Amera A. Gilchrist, Pittsburgh EMS chief; Leslie Davis, president and CEO of UPMC; Corey O’Connor, Pittsburgh mayor; Sheldon Williams, Pittsburgh’s acting public safety director; and John McClory, Pittsburgh’s acting public works director
Credit: UPMC
