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.
Books
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
New FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore says low EMS pay is hurting recruitment and retention as medical calls make up the majority of the department’s workload
February 09, 2026 08:32 AM
A proposal to add civilian ambulance drivers to Lockport’s fire-based EMS system ignited a public dispute over overtime, staffing models and accountability
February 09, 2026 07:44 AM
Champlain-Mooers Emergency Services celebrated the agency’s growth from a 1976 volunteer ambulance service to a two-station EMS operation
February 08, 2026 08:00 AM
Providers say fear, not illness, is keeping patients away, with some rationing medication or skipping specialist visits to avoid potential encounters with federal agents
February 07, 2026 12:00 PM
