July 21, 2025

The Forgotten Black Paramedics Who Revolutionized Emergency Medicine

Imagine calling an ambulance because someone you love is dying. You need urgent medical help—but instead of paramedics, The police shows up at your door. No medical training, no emergency equipment just the police vehicle. Hard to imagine, but this was real life for Black communities throughout America just 60 years ago.
This is the true story of everyday people from Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District ended up inventing emergency medical care as we know it.

Audio Onemichistory.com
Follow me on Instagram: @onemic_history
Follow me on Substack: https://onemicblackhistorypodcast.substack.com/
Follow me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@onemic_history

Please support our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=25697914
Buy me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Countryboi2m

Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_House_Ambulance_Service https://www.pbs.org/show/freedom-house-ambulance-the-first-responders/
American Sirens by Kevin Hazzard
https://teamrubiconusa.org/news-and-stories/freedom-house-ambulance-service-a-legacy-of-life-saving-care/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/one-mic-black-history--4557850/support.