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UPMC gives Pittsburgh $10 million for emergency vehicles; city also to accept $1 million state grant for two ambulances
Summary
Pittsburgh officials told council a $10 million one-time donation from UPMC will buy ambulances and rescue equipment over two years and free city funds for other vehicle purchases; a separate $1 million state Local Share Account grant will buy two ambulances. Council gave affirmative recommendations on both measures.
City officials told Pittsburgh City Council standing committees on Feb. 4 that a $10 million donation from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center will be split across two years to buy emergency medical vehicles and equipment, while a separate $1 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's Local Share Account (LSA) will pay for two ambulances.
Dan Gilman, chief of staff for the mayor, described the UPMC gift as "a one time $10,000,000 donation," with $5 million available this year and $5 million next year. He said the city expects to buy "8 or 9 additional ambulances plus a new rescue unit" this year depending on pricing and operational decisions by the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.
The LSA grant of $1,000,000 is specifically targeted to purchase two ambulances, officials said. Council heard that the combined resources will increase emergency medical capacity while allowing some city funds previously earmarked for ambulances to be redirected to other pressing vehicle needs.
Council members praised the donations and discussed implementation and timelines. One member noted the mayor campaigned on vehicle purchases and called the contribution an early fulfillment of that pledge.
The standing committee gave both Bill 72 (the UPMC donation acceptance) and Bill 57 (the LSA grant amendment for two ambulances) an affirmative recommendation. Officials cautioned that exact vehicle counts may shift depending on final pricing, labor agreements and upfitting needs.
Next steps: the measures will move through the council process for final approvals and the administration will work with public-safety bureaus and the Equipment Leasing Authority on procurement and deployment timing.
