Freedom House Ambulance: The FIRST Responders

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Grades: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grown-Ups and Educators
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The 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s brought the city of Pittsburgh great economic prosperity, especially in the Hill District community. Unfortunately, these years of success also brought environmental challenges and consequences, like air pollution. In response, local leaders decided that changing the layout of the city would make things better. As a result, life was better for some but for others this decision made a negative impact on their community as well as their homes.

Discussion Questions

  • What year was the high point for the African American community in the city of Pittsburgh?
  • Where did many high profile people spend their time when they visited the Hill District of Pittsburgh?
  • What was the reason behind city officials demolishing this flourishing community?
  • How many businesses were demolished in the Hill District? How many people were displaced?

Disparities with housing became very evident in the Hill District neighborhood of the city of Pittsburgh in the 1960’s due to the city’s plan to slow the effects of pollution. It was one of the defining factors that made Freedom House necessary.

Teaching Tip: Instruct students to watch the video and discuss the housing inequality faced by the community. In what ways has housing inequality continued to affect people today? Ask students to reflect on the questions provided in the student discussion section of this resource.

Discussion Questions

  • What was it about the city that made people no longer want to live there?
  • What was “The Renaissance”?
  • What was the difference between the assistance white families received and the assistance that black families received?

Freedom House Ambulance was a great success in the city of Pittsburgh. However, there were many who did not care to see Freedom House excel because it wasn’t their idea and it was run almost entirely by African American men and women.

Teaching Tip:
Instruct students to watch the following clips and discuss the resistance to Black innovation faced by Freedom House Ambulance. Ask students to reflect on the questions provided in the student discussion section of this resource.

Freedom House Ambulance was a great success in the city of Pittsburgh. However, there were many who did not care to see Freedom House excel because it wasn’t their idea and it was run almost entirely by African American men and women.
Former Freedom House workers, John Moon and Mitch Brown remember the events that unfolded before their final days as employees for the Freedom House Ambulance.

Discussion Questions

  • Why did the police feel threatened by Freedom House ambulance workers?
  • What happened in Squirrel Hill when a teenage boy was hit by a city bus?
  • What was one of the “crowning moments” of Freedom House?
  • When did Freedom House take their last call?

Freedom House Ambulance was a great success in the city of Pittsburgh. However, there were many who did not care to see Freedom House excel because it wasn’t their idea and it was run almost entirely by African American men and women.

Teaching Tip:
Instruct students to watch the following clips and discuss the political pushback faced by Freedom House Ambulance. Where can we see examples of how politics affect community initiatives today? Ask students to reflect on the questions provided in the student discussion section of this resource.

Former Freedom House founder and workers recall the persistent pushback that they received from the mayor of the city of Pittsburgh as he sought to silence the commotion that arose amongst his supporters due to Freedom Houses’ efforts to help the black community have adequate medical care.
Former Freedom House workers and founder reflect on one of the hardest times in their lives. As they worked to help those in life threatening situations, they faced oppression from the mayor who did everything in his power to make the day-to-day operations of Freedom House difficult.

Discussion Questions

  • Why was Mayor Flaherty resistant to the advancement of Freedom House?
  • What did the Mayor suggest as an alternative to sirens for the Freedom House ambulance vehicles?
  • Why were those of wealthy backgrounds frustrated with Freedom House ambulances?
  • What did the Mayor start as a replacement for the Freedom House ambulance program?
  • What happened to African American workers in the new city of Pittsburgh ambulance program?

The city of Pittsburgh is very well known for several things but many do not know that some of the nations’ best medical innovations were developed by those who dedicated their time to the advancement of the Freedom House Ambulance. 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 groundbreaking work became the basis for all paramedics training in the country.

Teaching Tip: Instruct students to watch the following clips and discuss the medical innovations used by Freedom House Ambulance. Ask students to reflect on the questions provided in the student discussion section of this resource.

Pittsburghers, local historians and former Freedom House workers remember what the city was like before the inception of the Freedom House Ambulance program. Most Pittsburghers’ only option was to be picked up by the police and it didn’t always end well.
Historians reflect on the genesis of the Freedom House Ambulance and Freedom House co-founder, Phil Hallen recalls how he was introduced to Dr. Peter Safar, the father of CPR.
Phil Hallen and local historians reflect on the lifesaving work of Dr. Peter Safar, who created the medical method that is now known as CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).

Discussion Questions

  • What was the “big black wagon”?
  • What was the problem with the police officers method of transporting sick patients to the hospital?
  • Who Phil Hallen? Why was he important to the creation of Freedom House Ambulance?
  • Who was “the father of CPR”?
  • What kind of experiments did he conduct to create the CPR method?

These historical photos provide a glimpse into the experiences of Freedom House paramedics on the job. Established in 1967, Freedom House was America’s first EMT service comprised solely of Black men and women recruited from Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood. The paramedics of Freedom House Ambulance became trailblazers in providing pre-hospital and CPR care.

Archival Photos Teaching Tip: Photography can be an important way for students to explore and discuss the topics outlined in the documentary. Please be mindful of your classroom needs and sensitivities as you discuss these historical photos. Please be aware that the content in this collection is suggested for grades 6-12.

Freedom House paramedics evaluate a patient inside an ambulance.
Freedom House paramedics answer an emergency call at a Pittsburgh high school.
Freedom House staff with founder Phil Hallen outside Pittsburgh’s Presbyterian Hospital.
Freedom House Ambulance parked in front of a Pittsburgh high school.

Discussion Questions

  • What is the first thing you think of when you see these photos?
  • Knowing that the story of Freedom House Ambulance was almost lost, how does that change the way you view these photos?
  • In a society where photos are everywhere and constantly taken, what makes historical photos different? What is the significance and what sets it apart from photos you see in your daily life or that are on your camera or a friend’s camera? 
  • Choose one word to describe each photo in the gallery. Explain why you chose the word?

WQED-FM’s Anna Singer spoke with Annette Banks, producer of the WQED-TV documentary Freedom House Ambulance: The First Responders. The documentary tells the story of the paramedics of Freedom House Ambulance, which 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. 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.

Teaching Tip: Educators can listen to this interview in class or assign it for homework. Ask students what they learned from this interview that wasn’t covered in the other content. What perspective does a producer take? What is their job when it comes to telling a story?

Discussion Questions

  1. Why was Freedom House Ambulance created? 
  2. Are there any parallels that you see today compared to when Freedom House Ambulance was in operation?
  3. What was something interesting that you learned from listening to the interview? 
  4. What roles did racism and discrimination play in the creation and dismantling of Freedom House Ambulance?
  5. What lessons can be learned from this documentary and interview? 

Freedom House Ambulance History Overview

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Educator Guide

Teachers can use this Educator Guide to help students learn about the Freedom House Ambulance, which was the nation’s first EMS Team. Through WQED’s documentary, students will discover and explore the history that has made the Hill District neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the hardships that were endured which have afforded us the privilege to have what is now classified as EMS or EMT. 

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Educator Presentation Slides

Use these presentation slides and corresponding slide activities when viewing clips from the Freedom House Ambulance documentary collection. You are free to create additional learning objectives to acomodate your group’s learning needs as well as accompanying slides.

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About

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 groundbreaking 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.

The 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. Watch the full documentary here.

Credits

WQED

Funding made possible by:

UPMC
Mobile Health Resources/EMSST
Page, Wolfberg & Wirth LLC
Center for Emergency Medicine/ STAT MedEvac

Photographs, Images, Film, & Video:
The Charles “Teenie” Harris Archive – Carnegie Museum of Art
Maurice Falk Medical Fund Archives
Nancy L. Caroline Papers. Schlesinger Library, Harvard Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University
John Moon
National EMS Museum
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
Heinz History Center
Freedom House Ambulance service first day – Gift of Virginia “Ginny” Caligiuri
WPXI Channel 11
National Archives
Library of Congress
Internet Archive
Archives and Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Peter Safar Papers, 1950-2003, UA.90.F102, University Archives, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Mayor’s office, City of Pittsburgh

Photos Courtesy of:
Philip Hallen
Mitchell J. Brown
George McCary III
Brenda Tate
Amera Gilchrist
Kim El
Sala Udin

Standards

PA Social Studies Academic Standards (Grades 6-8) Freedom House Ambulance Collection

History

  • 8.1.7.A Explain and apply historical thinking skills, including chronological thinking and historical interpretation.
  • 8.1.7.B Analyze and interpret historical sources for context and accuracy.
  • 8.1.7.C Determine the importance of historical events and developments over time.

United States History

  • 8.3.7.A Explain the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals and groups in United States history.
  • 8.3.7.B Explain the importance of historical documents, movements, and individuals in shaping the United States.
  • 8.3.7.C Explain how continuity and change have impacted U.S. history.

Pennsylvania History

  • 8.2.7.A Explain the social, political, cultural, and economic development of Pennsylvania.
  • 8.2.7.B Identify and explain the contributions of significant Pennsylvania individuals and groups.
  • 8.2.7.C Explain how continuity and change have influenced Pennsylvania over time.

Civics and Government

  • 5.1.7.C Analyze the principles and ideals shaping government and civic life.
  • 5.2.7.A Explain the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
  • 5.2.7.D Explain how citizens can work individually and collectively to bring about change.

Geography

  • 7.3.7.A Explain the human characteristics of places and regions.
  • 7.3.7.B Explain the impact of human activities on communities and regions.
  • 7.4.7.A Explain the ways humans adapt to, modify, and depend on their environment.

Economics

  • 6.1.7.F Explain how incentives and access to resources influence individual and group decisions.
  • 6.5.7.F Explain how changes in technology and innovation affect society and economic development.

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