From Slavery to Freedom Film Series: “Freedom House Ambulance: The First Responders"

Presented as part of the From Slavery to Freedom Film Series, “Freedom House Ambulance,” produced by WQED, explores the rise and fall of America’s first emergency medical service comprised entirely of Black men and women from Pittsburgh’s Hill District neighborhood.

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.

Featuring rare archival images, the documentary tells the story of the organization’s inception through the perspective of a founder, along with reflections from surviving paramedics, stories of the world-renowned doctors who trained them, and memories from lifelong Hill District residents.

A panel discussion will follow the film screening.

This program is delivered in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health as part of their One Book, One Community initiative.