PITTSBURGH \u2014 UPMC has donated $10 million to the City of Pittsburgh for new ambulances, Mayor Corey O\u2019Connor announced Thursday morning.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The city said the purchase of the vehicles and equipment will be done in phases to stagger the\u00a0maintenance and lifetime of the vehicles. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe very first EMS started here in Pittsburgh, but for years we\u2019ve been expecting our critical first responders to deliver life-saving services with an old, unreliable fleet,\u201d O\u2019Connor said. \u201cUPMC saw what was happening, approached\u202fus\u202fand 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
O\u2019Connor said the donation will also free up funds to purchase 35 Department of Public Works vehicles. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe made a dedication to the City of Pittsburgh and residents that we were going to address this issue,\u201d O\u2019Connor said during Thursday\u2019s press conference. <\/p>\n
O\u2019Connor said most of their fleet, 50% of them ambulances, have over 75,000 miles. <\/p>\n
During clean up following Sunday\u2019s major winter storm, O\u2019Connor said that the city was down to about 50 trucks after dozens went out. <\/p>\n
1 Investigates has documented mechanical and other problems with ambulances and other city vehicles from public works, to garbage trucks<\/a>to fire trucks<\/a> and police cars. <\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE:<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n