The donations will allow the city to purchase 15 new snow plow trucks and additional ambulances.
The city of Pittsburgh is set to improve its snow removal capabilities because of a $2 million donation from PNC Bank. The donation will allow the city to purchase 15 new snow plow trucks. UPMC also donated $10 million for the purchase of additional ambulances.
Mayor Corey O’Connor announced the PNC Bank donation on Friday. “They said, ‘If we gave you $2 million, how many plows does that get you?’ And we said 15,” he said.
The funds are being donated by the PNC Foundation specifically for the purchase of new snow plows.
“The $2 million today from PNC is going strictly to plows. That was the agreement. That’s what we agreed to. We’re going to have this money audited so that everybody can make sure that the money that comes in goes specifically to where it was asked to go,” said O’Connor during Friday’s announcement.
According to John McClory, acting director of Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works, said the city currently has about 70 working pieces of snow removal equipment.
“At one time, we did have 82 pieces of equipment out on Sunday, and that was everything. We threw everything at it – tractors, pickup trucks, whatever we could,” said McClory.
Breakdowns during Sunday’s snow storm put several pieces of the city’s snow removal equipment out of commission.
“They’re going to call when the truck shuts down or doesn’t spin. Now it’s adding to an already stressful job. So this is huge. It’s big for them. I think they’re excited, they’re pumped up that we’re going to get them some new vehicles, and that way they can do their job,” said McClory.
UPMC’s $10 million will go towards the purchase of new ambulances in Pittsburgh.
“Remember, that’s $12 million. Now, that offsets some of our capital. Now, we can invest that, continuing to invest in your neighborhoods, in your small business districts, in your parks, in your playgrounds. And I think that’s the big win here, is this money can now not only work on our fleet, but allow us to invest in communities,” said O’Connor.
The donation will allow the city to purchase nine new ambulances and one rescue truck this year, and a similar amount of equipment in 2027 according to a press release.
“This contribution reflects who we are at UPMC – a mission-driven institution committed to Pittsburgh’s well-being. This week highlighted the challenges facing the city’s aging EMS fleet and we recognized the urgency of the moment,” said Leslie Davis, president and CEO of UPMC.
