por
Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | February 02, 2026
The Pittsburgh-based health system UPMC is contributing $10 million to the City of Pittsburgh to help replace outdated emergency medical services vehicles and equipment, city officials announced.
The funds will be used to purchase nine ambulances and one rescue truck this year, with a second round of upgrades planned for 2027.
UPMC president and CEO Leslie Davis said the organization was motivated by the urgent need to modernize the city’s emergency response capabilities. “This week highlighted the challenges facing the city’s aging EMS fleet and we recognized the urgency of the moment,” Davis said in a statement.
Ad Statistics
Times Displayed: 9488
Times Visited: 29 Brand-New FDA-cleared Advanced Ultrasound Medical Device available for sale or lease to Wound Care Centers or any other Medical Facilities.The Arobella 1000D is designed for non-contact or debridement ultrasound wound healing therapy, or any other wounds
Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor described the funding as a pivotal investment. “UPMC saw what was happening, approached us and stepped up to partner with us on this game-changing investment,” O’Connor said.
In addition to bolstering EMS capabilities, the contribution is expected to relieve budgetary pressure, enabling the city to redirect funds toward updating other municipal vehicles, including those used by the Department of Public Works.
UPMC has a long-standing relationship with the city’s emergency response infrastructure. Through its partnership with the University of Pittsburgh, the health system has contributed to the development of emergency medical protocols and leadership for decades. Notably, anesthesiologist Peter Safar, M.D., who helped pioneer CPR and led the Freedom House Ambulance Service in Pittsburgh, was affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh.
UPMC emergency medicine physicians have also long served in leadership roles with the city’s public safety department. Leonard Weiss, M.D., currently holds that position, continuing a tradition of collaboration aimed at improving patient outcomes in the field.
“Emergency care in Pittsburgh is one of the model sites in the nation because of the UPMC, City of Pittsburgh and Pitt partnership,” said Don Yealy, M.D., UPMC’s chief medical officer.
This latest investment follows a pattern of civic engagement from UPMC, which has previously backed local initiatives including the Pittsburgh Promise and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.
