Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS

Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS Official City of Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS page. Not monitored 24/7. For emergencies, call 911.
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06/23/2026

Tool Tuesday - The Jaws of Life

At Pittsburgh EMS, our "Jaws of Life" are Hurst battery-electric extrication tools. These tools are used to rescue patients who are entrapped in vehicles after being involved in a serious accident. In the accompanying video, Paramedics Raina Lewis and Matthew Lederman explain how these life-saving tools operate in the field.

Each EMS Heavy Rescue unit carries a full set of cutters, spreaders, and rams, complemented by a combination tool on every ambulance.

All Pittsburgh paramedics and emergency medical technicians receive extensive vehicle extrication and rescue medicine training, working as a team to save patients in any environment. Pittsburgh EMS staffs two Heavy Rescue units 24/7 and is responsible for all technical rescue operations within the City of Pittsburgh.

Check out the Pittsburgh EMS Week-in-Review for June 7-13!
06/19/2026

Check out the Pittsburgh EMS Week-in-Review for June 7-13!

EMS Crew Shoutout!Chief Amera Gilchrist held a bureau-wide cookout today to celebrate the start of the summer season and...
06/18/2026

EMS Crew Shoutout!

Chief Amera Gilchrist held a bureau-wide cookout today to celebrate the start of the summer season and the recent National EMS Week.

Crews stopped by the Training Division for a meal, and to receive commemorative Emergency Medical Services 2026 NFL Draft challenge coins.

These coins symbolize the dedication put forth by all members of the Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS, as their efforts kept both residents and visitors safe at one of the largest events Pittsburgh has ever seen.

Public Safety Director Sheldon Williams also stopped by to thank EMS personnel for all that they do.

Thank you to all of our hard working Paramedics, Advanced EMTs, and EMTs who keep Pittsburgh safe!

06/17/2026

June is National Safety Month, and one of this year’s themes is safety on the roads.

Did you know?
🔸 All children up to age 4 must be secured in an approved child passenger restraint system.
🔹 Car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
🔸 Most parents are confident that they have installed their child’s safety seat correctly, however, in 46% of cases the seat was installed improperly.

Each Monday, members of the Pittsburgh EMS Car Seat Safety team complete FREE child safety seat checks at the EMS Training Division in the Strip District.

Let us help you. Make an appointment for a FREE car seat inspection with specially trained paramedics ➡️ https://bit.ly/4fRab7Q

Let's work together to protect our youngest passengers and their futures!

EMS Training Tuesday!Last week marked the end of our spring 2026 water rescue training days.Water rescue team members sp...
06/16/2026

EMS Training Tuesday!

Last week marked the end of our spring 2026 water rescue training days.

Water rescue team members spent the day along the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers reviewing core water rescue skills and getting ready for the summer season.

These annual training days ensure our team stays sharp and ready to respond at a moment's notice!

Did you know Pittsburgh EMS is licensed as a 2A swift-water rescue team in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, standing ready to support our regional and state partners at large-scale emergencies?

Pittsburgh EMS, Fire, and Police recently joined students, teachers, and families at Weil PreK-5’s Fun Day and Spring Hi...
06/12/2026

Pittsburgh EMS, Fire, and Police recently joined students, teachers, and families at Weil PreK-5’s Fun Day and Spring Hill K-5's Community Day.

First responders shared details about their responsibilities and gave children tours of ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars. The Safer Together Coordinator for Zone 2 also hosted a resource table packed with educational information and giveaways at the Weil event.

These events gave students valuable hands-on learning while helping first responders build positive community relationships before the school year ended.

Check out the Pittsburgh EMS Week-in-Review for May 31-June 6!
06/12/2026

Check out the Pittsburgh EMS Week-in-Review for May 31-June 6!

The American Heart Association recently launched its "You Are the First Responder" campaign. This initiative reminds the...
06/10/2026

The American Heart Association recently launched its "You Are the First Responder" campaign. This initiative reminds the public that anyone can save a life, and YOU are the first responder until help arrives. In a cardiac emergency, every minute counts.

Pittsburgh EMS is supporting this initiative locally to spread awareness. Keep an eye out during your daily commute, as EMS Chief Amera Gilchrist’s advertisement is currently featured on the side of a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus!

"When someone’s heart stops, family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers can be the difference before professional help arrives," says the American Heart Association.

Learn more about this campaign ➡️ https://www.heart.org/en/nation-of-lifesavers

06/10/2026

I joined Medic 14 of Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS to learn more about the work our paramedics do and see the unique challenges they face. It’s a difficult, stressful job, and we need to make sure they have the resources and support they need to do this life-saving work. Thank you to all of EMS for your service to the city – and happy birthday to Medic Bendig!

EMS Training Tuesday!Over the past month, Pittsburgh EMS completed 100 hours of intensive vehicle rescue training in the...
06/09/2026

EMS Training Tuesday!

Over the past month, Pittsburgh EMS completed 100 hours of intensive vehicle rescue training in the classroom and on the extrication pad.

Two classes of Paramedics and EMTs completed Vehicle Rescue Awareness, Operations, and Technician levels, while recruits from Class 26-02 completed their specialized Rescue Medicine course.

This training is attended by all newly hired employees. It is completed again when Paramedics are assigned to an EMS Heavy Rescue, ensuring our team is ready to perform medically directed rescue!

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700 Filbert Street
Pittsburgh, PA
15232

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+14126226931

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