Taking care of our first responders

Rep. Jen Mazzocco November 6, 2026 | 9:24 AM

This past Wednesday was National First Responders Day, and I joined the Medical Rescue Team South Authority to commend the work these emergency medical responders do every day to keep our district safe.

It was wonderful hearing from board members representing each municipality about the critical work MRTSA does and their vision for emergency medical response in the South Hills. MRTSA averages approximately 10,000 calls for service per year across our communities, including Baldwin Township, Castle Shannon, Dormont, and Mount Lebanon.

We also celebrated the $265,201 in funding for the purchase of a new ambulance! I was proud to work with Senator Wayne Fontana to secure this funding through the Local Share Account grant program. MRTSA always operates ambulances with a minimum of one paramedic and one EMT, and this new ambulance will help MRTSA continue to deliver.

First responders are the backbone of the district, selflessly putting others before themselves every time they clock in. If you know a first responder or see one around the neighborhood, be sure to thank them for their outstanding service. I thank everyone at MRTSA for their time and dedication, and I will continue to fight for our first responders.

Standing with our neighbors

I am horrified by the tragedy in Mt. Lebanon on Monday night, and like many of you, I am at a loss for words. To my neighbors in Mt. Lebanon, please know that I am standing with you today and always. My heart and prayers are with the family, and everyone impacted by this terrible loss.

I want to thank the Mt. Lebanon Police Department, the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department, and Medical Rescue Team South for their tireless work during this difficult time and for facing the unthinkable with bravery and compassion.

It is okay to ask for help, and if you need support, please know that you are not alone. Resolve Crisis Services is available 24 hours a day to families in our community at 1-888-796-8226 or use the national mental health hotline at 988. Outreach Teen & Family Services is also here locally for our younger residents to get the support they need.

I hope you can take a moment today to show love and kindness to your neighbors and be there for one another. Mt. Lebanon is a strong, tight-knit community, and while healing from this trauma will take a very long time, I know you will continue to show up for each other in times of need. In the coming days and weeks, as we grieve, please check in on your friends, family, and neighbors. Take care of each other today and every day.

Chatting with curious Cub Scouts

Last week, I was able to meet with the young Scouts of Cub Scouts Pack 870 at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church, and these kids were eager to learn! I had great conversations with the Scouts about the job of a representative, what I do for the district, and how our elections process works. Thanks to these bright young minds, I know our area’s civic engagement will stay strong for decades to come, and I appreciated the invitation.

Wicked fun on Halloween!

My office and I had a scary good time at the Mt. Lebanon Pumpkin Patch Parade on Halloween! It was so much fun spending time together and enjoying some trick-or-treating. Taking part in these holiday gatherings with all of you is one of the best perks of my position, and everyone brought their A-game when it came to costumes!

Remembering our Veterans

This coming Wednesday, November 11, is Veterans Day, a time to honor and remember all who have served and sacrificed for our freedoms. We have the freedom to choose our own paths in life because of the dedication and sacrifices of our veterans, and they deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. A huge thank you to all the veterans in our district for your service and sacrifice. I also want to thank the families and friends who stand beside them and support them every step of the way.

Events across our area will commemorate the day, including the Upper. St Clair Veterans Day Observance and Mt. Lebanon’s Veterans Day Ceremony. The USC ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the USC Municipal Building, 1820 McLaughlin Road, and will feature a keynote speech by Lt. Col. (ret) Brian Schill, United States Air Force, and musicians from the USC School District.

The Mt. Lebanon ceremony will begin Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center Veterans Memorial. The ceremony will feature a keynote address by Dr. Susan Gillette Meer, State Regent of the Pennsylvania State Society Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as a performance by the Mt. Lebanon High School Triple Trio.

Medicaid changes are coming soon

Allegheny County estimates that nearly 26,000 residents could lose Medicaid coverage because of new reporting requirements under the federal law signed by President Trump, with work requirements taking effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

Some adults will be required to document 80 hours per month of work, education, volunteering, or another qualifying activity unless they qualify for an exemption. Some recipients will also be required to renew their coverage every six months rather than annually.

Coverage will not automatically change on Jan. 1, but now is the time to prepare by making sure the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has your current contact information. Your benefits will not change without proper notice from DHS, and the department will help you prepare for any changes to benefits as they come. You can also contact my office for help with understanding a notice, figuring out why your coverage has changed, or any other issues you may have.

District Office Services

You can always stop by or call my office to learn more about state programs, applications, and services, including Senior ConnectCards, Unclaimed Property, PennDOT services, Vital Records, and much more.

Another service my office can help with is the commonwealth’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which opened for the 2026-2027 season this week. LIHEAP helps families living on low incomes pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant ranging from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income and fuel type. For more information and to see if you are eligible, visit the link above or give us a visit.

We can also assist with the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program which supports eligible homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania with a rebate up to $1,000 based on income. Applications for the 2025 PTRR program are still available through December 31, so call or visit us with any questions you may have.

Call us at 412-343-3870, email RepMazzocco@pahouse.net or visit 650 Washington Road, Suite 102, in Mt. Lebanon. Staff will be in the office Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The first 15 minutes of parking in uptown Mt. Lebanon’s North Parking Garage across from the office is free. The office can also be reached on the T to the Mt. Lebanon station.