New plows and more emergency response vehicles are on the way.
Why it matters: After a third of Pittsburgh’s snowplows broke down earlier this week, UPMC announced Thursday that it is donating $10 million to the city to purchase new plows, ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
By the numbers: The donation will help purchase 35 new Department of Public Works vehicles this year, including plows, Mayor Corey O’Connor said at a press conference. They will also include:
- Nine new ambulances
- One new rescue truck
- More EMS vehicles to be purchased in 2027
What they’re saying: “Help is on its way,” said O’Connor.
- “This week, I would say we had a few challenges, right? … And we recognize the urgency of this very moment,” said Leslie Davis, UPMC president and CEO.
Context: The press conference was held in front of a 31-year-old rescue vehicle that had over 100,000 miles on it, according to O’Connor.
- He said most of the city’s vehicles have over 75,000 miles on them.
- 37 of the city’s 95 plows broke down on Monday as crews were plowing; 27 of those came back online by Wednesday.
Flashback: O’Connor told Axios last year he wanted to secure an agreement with the city’s large nonprofits to get them to pay for things like ambulances and snowplows…