Dec 10, 2025 By Jon Andreassi 3 min read

Peters Township council voted Monday to negotiate potential contracts with two outside EMS providers, signaling the end of the longstanding local ambulance service.

An initial motion to only negotiate with Allegheny Health Network, which operates Canonsburg EMS, failed after a 3-3 tie. Tom Pirosko, Gary Stiegel Jr. and Frank Kosir Jr. voted against the motion. Council member Matt Rost was absent from Monday’s meeting.

Council then voted unanimously to enter into negotiations with both AHN and UPMC, which operates Ambulance & Chair.

Ambulance services in the township have been offered by Peters Township EMS, which is owned and operated by Memorial Park Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 764, since 1963. Peters Township EMS also provides service to Finleyville and Nottingham Township.

The VFW has previously stated that it can no longer financially support the ambulance service.

Both AHN and UPMC have indicated to township officials they would purchase Peters Township EMS’ vehicles and equipment.

Prior to casting his vote against solely negotiating with AHN, Pirosko expressed that UPMC may be a better fit for Peters.

“I do think there is a significant advantage with Ambulance & Chair with those resources – staffing, financially and education. It’s the largest health system in Pittsburgh,” Pirosko said.

Pirosko is the chief of emergency medicine services at UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene. Pirosko said he asked the township solicitor if his voting on the matter represented a conflict of interest.

“I gave him the opinion, in the past and this evening, based on facts he provided that he can cast a vote. In fact, (Allison Shanafelt) is in the same boat,” said John Smith at Monday’s meeting. “Looking that they’re not a board member, they wouldn’t be involved in the bidding or preparation of any contracts, that they would have no pecuniary interest for themselves or their family directly, and that there is case law on point under contracts that this is part of a public process that you can both vote.”

Shanafelt is the director of sales and support for Provider PPI, a group purchasing organization affiliated with AHN.

Brian DeLong, the commander of the VFW, said in a statement that the organization is “saddened to see this chapter come to a close” but respects the council’s decision.

The VFW had hoped to see the township support the continued existence of its ambulance service in some capacity.

“The decision to end this chapter is difficult, but the legacy of what was built will always remain. The VFW Post 764 is profoundly grateful for the trust this community places in us since 1963. Serving Peters Township has been one of the greatest honors we could ask for,” DeLong said.