The City of Pittsburgh continues their month-long celebration of Black History Month by highlighting one of the true medical innovators in the United States: The Freedom House Ambulance Service. This collective service was touted as the nation's first paramedic team. This Hill District-based medical team developed the concept of "Mobile Intensive Care" and also paved the way for a new professional field called the, "Paramedic."
This innovative concept of “Mobile Intensive Care” sought to work in collaboration with a local anti-poverty initiative, whose goals included the recruitment of unemployed African-American men and women from Pittsburgh’s Hill District, who would serve as Freedom House attendants.
Freedom House attendants were trained by the late Dr. Peter Safar, a University of Pittsburgh anesthesiologist and medical visionary who developed a method of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, which in turn, earned Dr. Safar the titles of "Father of CPR" and "Father of Paramedic Training."
In addition to celebrating the legacy of the Freedom House Ambulance Service the entire month of February, you and your family can participate with the City of Pittsburgh in honoring their legacy by joining the festivities downtown on February 1st for a reception in the City-County Building grand lobby.
For more information on how you can join along in this celebration, please visit the City of Pittsburgh's website by visiting this link: Here.