Political Pushback | Freedom House Ambulance
Support Materials
Background of Freedom House Ambulance
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?
- Where can we see examples of how politics affect community initiatives today?
About
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.
Credits
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
History
8.1 Historical Analysis and Skills Development. Apply chronological thinking and historical interpretation to understand events like the rise of Freedom House and its impact on EMS.
8.2 Pennsylvania History. Evaluate how social, political, and economic changes (e.g., urban renewal, racial equity) shaped communities in Pittsburgh.
8.3 U.S. History. Analyze civil rights movements and local initiatives that influenced national health care systems.
Civics & Government
5.1 Principles and Documents of Government. Examine how government decisions affected community health and civil rights.
5.2 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. Discuss civic engagement and barriers faced by marginalized groups in accessing emergency medical care.
Geography & Economics
7.3 Human Characteristics of Places and Regions. Explore demographic and cultural changes in Pittsburgh’s Hill District during urban renewal.
6.4 Economic Systems. Analyze how economic policies and redevelopment impacted minority communities.
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