Freedom House Ambulance: The FIRST Responders
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- In 1967, Pittsburgh's inner city produced America’s first EMT service. Comprised solely of Black men and women recruited from the city’s Hill District neighborhood, the paramedics of Freedom House Ambulance became trailblazers in providing pre-hospital and CPR care. Freedom House was initially conceived to respond to the needs of Pittsburgh’s African American community who often times, couldn’t rely on police and fire departments during an emergency. Their ground breaking work became the basis for all paramedics training in the country. However, despite its success - racism and power dynamics in Pittsburgh shut down Freedom House in 1975, leaving its legacy almost lost to history.
This 30-minute documentary explores the rise and fall of Freedom House Ambulance. With rare archival images, the program features the story of inception from an original founder, compelling reflections of surviving paramedics, stories of the world-renowned doctors who trained them, and memories of lifelong Hill District residents. For more information visit www.wqed.org/f....
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham interviewed John Moon, one of the original Freedom House Ambulance Members • WQED-FM Interviews Ori...
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Speaking as a former city paramedic, it's a shame how history was rewritten and the true pioneers from Freedom House were never given their due credit until this documentary was produced. These men and women need more than a obscure plaque on a wall they deserve their central office renamed in their honor befitting of their accomplishments and the injustices they had to endure.
I’m a retired Pittsburgh Paramedic, and was fortunate to be able to meet Dr. Safar, Dr. Caroline, and my first Supervisor was John Moon. When I was first hired, we were told that Pittsburgh EMS grew out of Freedom House Ambulance, but we were not given much in the way of the details. Due to the foundation laid down by Freedom House Paramedics, the work of Dr. Nancy Caroline, and Dr. Peter Safar Pittsburgh EMS has become the best Emergency Medical Service in the nation, and probably the world. Thank You! to John Moon, George McCary, Mitchell Brown, and all the other Freedom House Paramedics for allowing me to have the best career for 32 years. Thank You WQED and Annette Banks for bringing this story to life, and earning an Emmy in the process.
p.s. Amera Gilchrist has been promoted to Chief, and Pittsburgh EMS continues to set the bar high, paving the way for others to follow.
Thank you, Mike! We're so happy to hear you enjoyed it, and thanks so much for sharing your experience.
Pittsburgh was once innovative but now is years behind in the world of EMS
And to think, if the people who pioneered the very first worldwide paramedic services weren’t Black, this would have been broadcast all over Pittsburgh nonstop for decades. In every school. As part of parades. National news would have picked up on this about Pittsburgh. Global news would have soon covered it. There would now be plaques and lifesize statues Downtown bigger than Franco Harris immortalizing these hometown heroes. Buildings would be named for them on a university campus. Perhaps a school. Pittsburgh area hospitals, medical and nursing schools would honor them regularly and teach their methods by name. THIS would be what Pittsburgh is known for during NFL halftime hometown visits... a trip to the Freedom House museum. This would be the local feat just as big - if not bigger - than all of Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl rings and sports lore combined.
Instead, nobody knows this because they were Black.
Thank you all very much. Because of you I have enjoyed my 24 year and counting as a paramedic in Texas. I can never thank anyone enough. God bless everyone.
I lived in Munhall from 1965 to 1976 & never heard of Freedom House. I returned to my home state of NC & became an EMT for 12 years & only then did I learn about Dr. Safar & Freedom House. The City of Pittsburgh owes the wonderful men & women of Freedom House the recognition they are entitled to by making it the Home of EMS! Because of their dedication & service, billions of lives have been saved & EMS is now worldwide. Thank you, Freedom House for being the foundation of one of the greatest networks ever established!
As an Afro American EMT learning this history makes me proud. Despite the barriers and BS bureaucracy this is great American history and it shows the positivity that can come from unity.
This is a wonderful EMS story, although unfortunately, somewhat obscure. I only learned about Freedom House ambulance about 5 years ago. I thank them for being true EMS pioneers.
My wife, Penny started working in EMS in 1969. She and I eventually worked together as EMT/Paramedic partners on the ambulance in Saginaw Michigan for decades (70s, 80s and 90s).
She then transitioned into dispatch and me into training.
Penny had 53 years of service before she passed away suddenly in 2020.
I still work in EMS as a Paramedic Instructor Coordinator. 48 years and counting.
Penny, I love and miss you, my wonderful wife. But life goes on.
Heinz history center needs a permanent exhibit. Another proud moment for PITTSBURGH.
I would like to see a FULL LENGTH FEATURE FILM made about these forgotten medical pioneers.
Wow. All my years in EMS and somehow have never heard of this. Pioneers. They didn’t just save the lives of their patients, they saved the lives of people they never met by creating a system adopted by almost every community in America.
I’m a 24 year firefighter and had no idea about this amazing story
i was a Paramedic for Dekalb County EMS in Georgia, for 14 years. I too, never knew this story. We are who we are now in EMS because of these people and their courage and efforts. Thank you for all you did for us.
32 seconds in and wow why does this not have more recognition???
An outstanding part of EMS history. I'm a paramedic. This is the best job I've held as a civilian!
I read the book that was recently released. It’s about time that this story is told. I had the pleasure of being trained by a former Freedom House member in the mid 70s when I was an EMT
That's incredible! Thanks for the kind words!
I'm here because of a Yammer post through my job for Black History Month. So many, too many stories like this of black Americans not being told or taught in school. What a shame. Thank you WQED.
I am embarrassed to say I've spent my whole life in Pittsburgh and didn't know this story. Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it, Brad! It's never too late to learn something new!
It’s not your fault and it is no coincidence. If the story had been told, the history - and the ongoing present - of Pittsburgh’s horrendous racial politics would also have to be told.
This is not simply a story of hard work, brilliance and innovation, but it describes in crystal clear detail how things such as this, gentrification, unfair housing, unjust neighborhood policing, unequal employment, illegal practices in City firing, racial disparities in saving the lives of African Americans, etc etc etc, would also be uncovered and highlighted.
And, rather than telling this glorious “It Happened First In Pittsburgh” story, the truth has been intentionally hidden in order to veil everything else about it and to deny the shame that should be laid squarely at the feet of all those involved for their disgusting actions that ended countless lives.
Clearly, not telling this story has been no accident. Very few have heard this anywhere. It is not told.
The truth will prevail.
Same.
I lived in Munhall from 1965 to 1976 & never heard of Freedom House. I returned to my home state of NC & became an EMT for 12 years, & only then heard about Dr. Safar & Freedom House. How strange that I lived only miles from the home of EMS & never knew it at the time. The City of Pittsburgh owes these wonderful men & women of Freedom House proper recognition for founding a nationwide system that has saved billions of lives! Thank you, Freedom House for making EMS the worldwide success it is today!
A story I did not know about and was happy to learn. A must-see for people in early EMS.
Awesome job. This story needs to get out there. So many of us "Dinosaurs" owe our very existence to Freedom House Ambulance Service.
Excellent job of presenting an active eight years in a half-hour show. Good to see my EMT Instructor Mitch Brown playing so prominent a role in this presentation.
Thank you, Kevin!
WOW! Truly amazing. Proud to be a first responder!
Thank you Gd for Pittsburgh. What can I say? Thank you to these men and women, my kinfolk who might not even know they my kinfolk but they sure do love the Steelers. Thank you for saving us, for setting an example for all the rest of the world. The Hill lies at the center of Pittsburgh. And I’ve always believed Pgh to be the center of the Universe? So what that tell you bout the people on the Hill? Thank you. We are so indebted. I love you. ❤ - from the Mon Valley
I will be posting this everywhere. Never knew! This is a huge story!!
Thanks for your support, T. Gray!!
I recently read the book American Sirens. What a great read. Another amazing contribution by those considered inferior. A story lost in time or intentionally buried.
This makes me so proud to be a Paramedic. Thanks guys for all you did too pave the way for us today!
Such an amazing story of pioneers as a white British ambulance man of the same era I had no idea that this was happening and i n fact this is the first i knew of this extraordinary development is from this film I am so proud of you and saddened that the project was almost hijacked in this way.
The term hero is so often used inappropriately. However speaking from experience I know that is exactly what you are. I often hear Americans using the phrase ' Thank you for your service almost as a habit and directed at military veterans. You are the one who fought the war! From England and from my heart. 'Thank you for your service!'
I couldn’t imagine having to rely on the police for medical care. Scary
They never wanna see black succeed!!! We are the BEST!!!!🖐🏾
They should make a movie about it! I’d pay to see it!
awesome story and thanks to all of those in Freedom House Ambulance Service. Good to see the history being told.
Wow. Never knew this. Such a remarkable piece of history.
Amazing. I will share this with my Paramedic service’s socials
Thanks, Christopher! We appreciate it!
Will watch. ❤ Happy EMS Week to all 🚑
Bless you for the start of a well known paramedic program.
Bravo
American Sirens by Kevin Hazard is a great read about the history of Freedom House.
Wow - Thank You! for sharing stories that NEED to be told!
Great documentary.
I would love to visit their original site
What a great video, thank you!
Does anyone know the dates of the 43rd Annual Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine in Pittsburgh? This is where Freedom House ran a mass casualty triage drill in the park. Thanks
Pete Flaherty, worst mayor in Pittsburgh history. And we had Ravenstahl so that's saying something
My uncle was Boston Danny rih Uncle Danny