New $500,000 Penn Hills Ambulance Funding Dedicated to Fallen EMS Worker Nick Theofilis
Ceremony to mark the Anniversary of his End of Watch
Rep. Joe McAndrew November 21, 2024 | 9:14 AM
PENN HILLS, Nov. 21 – Penn Hills EMS will receive a $500,000 grant to purchase a new ambulance, which will be presented on Wednesday by state Rep. Joe McAndrew and Sen. Jay Costa, both D-Allegheny.
A check presentation will be held during the End of Watch ceremony for fallen paramedic Nicholas J. Theofilis at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27 in Council Chambers at the Penn Hills Government Center, 102 Duff Road.
When the ambulance is put in service it will be a memorial to Theofilis, the 23-year-old Penn Hills paramedic who passed away Nov. 27, 2022, following a crash while on duty. The ceremony and check presentation will coincide with the anniversary of his end of watch.
The new ambulance will be numbered 386, replacing Unit 386 which was destroyed when it was involved in a crash returning from transporting a patient to a nearby hospital. While the new unit will have traditional ambulance lettering and Penn Hills decals, there will also be special graphics and wording added to the vehicle to memorialize Theofilis.
“When a member of our community like Nick passes in our community it affects everyone,” McAndrew said. “Our paramedics dedicate so much to the people, doing everything they can to help those in their care. Nick was a special person who gave so much and to memorialize him in this way is a blessing. May his memory be carried on for years to come and his spirit be passed on to those who care for people in this new ambulance for years to come.”
“I am ecstatic for our EMS team to receive this funding to replace our lost ambulance. This new vehicle will be complete with state-of-the-art equipment to care for the residents of the Penn Hills community; it is a very special tribute,” said Diane Fitzhenry, Penn Hills EMS supervisor.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS: Media coverage of the ceremony is invited.