By Bill Carey
EMS1
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS recently celebrated the graduation of nine new EMTs who make up the first class of the Freedom House EMT Academy, named in honor of the nation’s first EMS service.
EMS Chief Amera Gilchrist noted that in her 25 years with the bureau, they have never had an EMT training program until now, CBS Pittsburgh reported.
“We actually took people, regular citizens, off the street and put them through school and showed them what EMS is all about,” Gilchrist said.
The graduation pays tribute to the original Freedom House Ambulance Service, established in the Hill District in the 1960s.
Paramedic Kevin Hazzard recounts the incredible story of the Black men and women who became America’s first paramedics
February 03, 2025 11:40 AM
“If it weren’t for the men and women of Freedom House, I wouldn’t be the chief of this department right now,” Gilchrist said.
The paid training program spans 12 weeks. Every member of the inaugural class successfully passed.
Pittsburgh EMS Chief Amera Gilchrist shares the progressive plan she fervently believes will reduce staffing challenges
December 21, 2023 10:50 AM
Due to a lack of space, Putnam EMS has a refrigerator in the bathroom and dries linens on a clothesline because they do not have a dryer
February 20, 2025 08:25 AM
About 20% of Louisiana’s Medicaid patients visit emergency rooms an average of 17 times per year, often for non-urgent issues or due to social barriers like lack of transportation,
February 21, 2025 09:25 AM
Lt. Nelson Seto called 911 reporting breathing trouble, but EMTs left when he didn’t answer the door; hours later, he was found dead
February 20, 2025 09:42 AM
It could take more than a year to adjust benefits and disburse retroactive payments following the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act — here’s how to prepare
February 21, 2025 08:40 AM
·