Pittsburgh's Revolutionary Black Paramedics Made a Breakthrough in Medicine, Part I

Before 1966, if you needed transport to the hospital, authorities might send a police car, or even a hearse. That year, Pittsburgh's non-profit Freedom House set out to change that for the city's predominately Black Hill District. Staffed by trained Black men, their ambulance service served as a model for newly emerging paramedic services around the country.

Guests:
Kevin Hazzard, author of "American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics"
John Moon, paramedic at Freedom House and former Assistant Chief, City of Pittsburgh EMS

Photo Credit: Heinz History Center

Originally aired on September 21, 2022.