Trending Topics

New EMTs graduate from Pittsburgh Freedom House’s first EMS academy

Nine new EMTs completed a 12-week paid training program launched earlier this year

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

“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
Trending
Minneapolis Police say the shooter opened fire through church windows toward the children sitting in the pews during school Mass before dying at the scene
FEMA workers who joined a 180-signature letter warning that staff and budget cuts imperil disaster response have been put on indefinite paid leave
Hennepin EMS official said the police’s swift, accurate tally of victims let medics move the wounded quickly to three hospitals
Monarez was fired less than a month after refusing to back “unscientific, reckless directives,” as four other senior CDC leaders resigned in protest