Pittsburgh is a jazzy old town.

Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh is a bluesy old town Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh is a gospel shouting town.

Solid soul from the hill on down.

Pittsburgh.

Oh, Lord.

Pittsburgh.

Oh, you know how Ernest fell off a stool over there.

Yeah, did you kicked him out from bedroom.

I did that's... Stop lying.

You're right.

Oh, and over there.

That's where I first met my wife.

How's she doing?

25 years and still going strong.

I love that.

It's always a bit of a surprise when you come back to a place you knew is home.

But history has a way of sticking around.

Especially in these old walls here.

Oh.

Hello there.

Hey.

How yinz doing?

Welcome to the Crawford Grill.

Number two, the top jazz club in Pittsburgh.

Right on Wylie Avenue in the heart of the Hill district.

Which means It was the one of the top jazz clubs in the world.

Oh, a lot of history happened here.

Hear about music and otherwise.

Oh, but that was back in the day.

And on one particular day in November 1966, a new batch of history happened to change the lives of people everywhere, not just here in Pittsburgh, but all over the world.

Happened just down the street on Centre Avenue at a place called Freedom House.

Oh, thank you.

Cut off!

Hey!

what's up, baby?

What are some regulars this evening?

Let me see.

Oh, Pittsburgh.

Hey!

Governor David Lawrence has collapsed during a speech at Syria Mosque.

Massive heart attack.

Confusion hampering efforts to aid.

Governor admitted 20 minutes later to Presbyterian Hospital.

20 minutes.

Doctors are cautiously optimistic.

Clings to life by a thread.

Doctors were too optimistic.

Turns out.

17 days later, without ever regained consciousness.

Governor Lawrence would die.

You gotta walk this lonesome valley.

You gotta walk it by yourself.

Ain't nobody here.

Gonna walk it for you.

We gotta walk this lonesome valley by yourself.

It was a heart attack.

And it was a big one.

The chief physician working on the governor.

A man by the name of Doctor Peter Safar.

He said that the true cause of death was due to cramped conditions and limited resuscitation equipment.

And what he called, and I quote the harsh type ambulance.

That's 20 minutes to get to the E.R., four blocks away.

Doctor Safar was not alone in his opinion.

Just two months before the incident with Governor Lawrence made headlines, the National Academy of Sciences published a paper entitled Accidental Death Disability The Neglected Disease of Modern Society.

It state that nearly 50,000 American lives were lost each year because they couldn't get to a doctor or hospital in time.

He swallowed.

Somebody help!

The ambulance arrives?

But the driver has no medical training or medical equipment.

We're losing him 50,000 American lives each year.

Something has to be done.

Has to be done right now.

Somebody has to do something.

Somebody did.

Thank you all for attending this national symposium on new trends in public health.

We have our featured speaker, Doctor Peter Safar, director of anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Esteemed colleagues, I speak to you today about the struggle between life and death that we see every day and what we can do to give life a fighting chance.

It was just three months ago that I led the team fighting to save Governor David Lawrence, as he struggled to survive his heart attack in Pittsburgh.

That time, we lost the fight.

Eight years ago, my team and I developed the first intensive care unit in the United States.

That same year, we pioneer the life saving technique of CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

CPR has already saved millions of people around the world from dying of cardiac arrest.

Maybe some of you here tonight.

But CPR is not always enough.

When it is a medical emergency, a heart attack, stroke flow accident of any kind.

We must keep the brain functioning until we have the resources to fix the problem.

Time is the enemy of the brain.

A quick response will be the deciding factor between whether a patient lives.

Or does not.

I know this to be true because my 11 year old daughter, Elizabeth, did not.

She had this.

She had a serious asthmatic condition and frequent attacks.

One night last fall and my wife and I were at the symphony.

Babysitter called and rushed home.

By the time we got to our daughter's side, there was simply no one to call for help.

Yet our research has shown that ordinary people, not just specialized doctors, can be trained to give basic medical care at the scene and save lives.

Someone to call for help.

When we as medical professionals rise to the challenge.

Were you.

But you know the problem isn't just going to be seen on time.

It's what you do at the scene after the ambulances arrive.

What you need is to bring as much of hospital as you can to the patients, wherever they are, you know, personnel trained in emergency medicine to assess the problem and then get treatment on the spot.

Make some sense?

Oh, After you.

Thank you.

Over here.

Right here.

What do we have now?

A hearse with a funeral home shows up.

Well, that's not a very hopeful sign, right?

Or a hospital ambulance with no doctors or This makes no sense at all.

A police paddy wagon shows up with an officer who might have a small first aid kit.

I mean, is the patient be treated or arrested?

Misunderstandings often occur.

What can I get you both to drink?

I will have an iron sea.

Make it two.

Phil Hallen Nice to meet you.

Nice meeting you too.

You work nearby?

I do, I work for that very small medical fund.

So if you know any community groups, any health care funding, you send them our way.

Is your background in medicine, Mr.

Hallen?

Always from behind the steering wheel.

I drive a hospital, ambulance and college tuition money.

Let me tell you, I saw things back then.

Patient care that you wouldn't believe.

And I'm still seeing the same things here today in Pittsburgh Especially.

Especially in worse economic stress.

Like the Hill District, where on occasion, it's rumored that outside calls for ambulances are occasionally ignored.

Really?

She's right.

You know, the other day, My friend Bill Coleman, he's the, anti-poverty grant director of the city of Pittsburgh.

He said to me, Phil, what you need is a public ambulance service with a program that trains ordinary men and women to be that medical attendance in the ambulance.

Oh, I said, that is a terrific idea.

But there's just one problem.

I mean, where do we find the vehicles?

The people who train at the staff run the operation.

Phil he said that's his.

You just have to know where to look.

Well, you look right here at Freedom House.

McCoy, founder and director of Freedom House.

Oh, nice to meet you.

That's the employment agency on Centre Avenue.

More of a community empowerment organization.

We do, voter registration support for local businesses.

We developed that.

A United Negro protest committee as a job training institute to I myself was a steel worker and the resident of a union law.

So I know what access to good paying jobs and means to a worker, their fam and their community.

But sheesh.

our community.

Now, let me get this straight.

Mr.

Hallen.

You're looking to train people all in here to drive an ambulance.

drive the ambulance and provide medical care on the spot.

Oh, like, like a hospital orderly or like a medic on a battlefield?

Oh, well, in default, you be looking for the.

Let's say mostly unskilled, frequently jobless, maybe formerly incarcerated.

The so-called, unemployed.

You mean men like me?

Dave Rayzer, 108 Barrow Street, right down bus.

Oakland.

I had my fair share jobs.

Assistant book finder at the Carnegie Library, good People.

Just not so good pay.

Oh, he also worked at Abbott Chalmers on the north side.

You got laid off?

Can't find it steady since.

And he's got two kids.

But, you know, Miss Thelma Lovette Down there at Mercy Hospital.

She said that they were looking for a people for Freedom House.

My wife says now, ain't no reason that can't be for you Mr.

Dave, I believe Freedom House has a seat, right?

with your name on Now let's sign you up and get you to school.

First classes were held in October 1967, in the basement of the Presbyterian Hospital.

44 applicants recruited for the heart of the Hill district, Old and young, ready to take on the biggest challenge of their lives.

Hey there, Mr.

G. Oh, that over there was the Oh, and that's kind of scout.

He does all the jobs around the neighborhood.

My name is Dave Rayzer.

I'm a part time dishwasher at As.

I'm a repairer too put a new water pump in my shower last month.

Oh, my pleasure.

Leroy Moran, I play some basketball at Pitt, but I just get out the Army reserve and I am Pearl Porter.

I'm thinking about going to nursing school.

I'll start off as an emergency dispatcher.

Mrs.

Ruth Gardner.

Been working part time at the board of Ed.

Nice to see you too.

How are you doing?

Ladies and gentlemen.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today.

And welcome to your new lives in the field of emergency medicine.

For the next eight months, you will undergo intensive training eight hours a day, seven days a week, 300 hours total.

That would include 50 hours of instruction in anatomy and physiology, along with a rigorous schedule of written and practical examinations.

In addition, you will have access.

Oh.

Yes, sir.

Do we have to score 100% on each of these exams?

I'm afraid that in our work, perfection is not optional.

Not when you're in the complicated process of keeping someone from dying.

Did I mention that you will receive 172 hours of clinical training with medical and nursing staff?

What is be like, a hospital only with cleaning and changing in business and such?

That is an excellent question, Miss?

Pearl Porter.

The training is for a medical physician known as a paramedic.

This may be a new term, not just for you, but for most everyone in our society.

The paramedic evaluated a person with an illness or injury.

Paramedic gives emergency medical care to that person if necessary.

The paramedic aids in transporting that person to a hospital and then explains to hospital staff, including doctors and nurses, what treatment has occurred.

Thank you doctor.

Thank you, Miss Porter, and all of you.

Thank you for your faith in this program and in yourselves.

Good luck to all.

And please never forget that it is up to each of us to save the world.

Why?

Because we can.

Shall we say it together?

Why?

Because we can.

Why?

Because we can.

Because we must.

What?

What?

For Robin.

You're going to be all right?

Oh, look.

Do I have a choice?

It's a lot of bookwork.

Well, I'm one of the dispatchers.

I want to know.

I can count on you now.

Yes, ma'am.

Well, as a dispatcher, I have to be up to date.

On what all you have to be ready to do in the field.

So you have to learn CPR.

Of course.

Advanced first day, Nursing fundamentals, intubation, I.V.

insertion, EKG.

Oh.

Defensive driving.

Okay.

All right.

Control the lead.

Stable.

Stabilize the spinal fracture.

Stop the seizure.

Deliver a baby.

Oh.

I do expect people will keep having those won't they?

Well, Doctor Safar says you'll have to spend one week in the morgue.

Oh, the operating room.

The emergency room.

Cardiology.

Oh.

Might as well get my own room to move in, Well, you'll be ready for every every possible outcome, no matter if you're on the street or in someone's home.

And a class in medical ethics and lead dollars.

I bet your mom always said you should be a lawyer.

Oh, yes.

Mama said.

Mama said.

Mama.

But.

But it's more than just showing up for classes and tests and exams.

You gotta show up for ourselves.

That's what she said.

All right.

Show up and find that person deep inside yourself and see if they're ready to come out and stand up in the outside world.

Well stand up son.

Stand up now.

They might show you how to do the job, but only you know you can do the job.

Do the job, son But what if I can't?

Mama, what if we just can't.

I was eight years old when my mom came home up the stairs for a long day at work, struggling with each step.

She was real sick.

And Lord.

Mama.

Oh Baby.

Baby.

Call an ambulance!

Mama Mama Police!

Can you help her?

Dispatch.

Patrol 9:01 on scene 2258 Fender interior.

We got a 1053.

Middle aged female down.

Officer, can you get a window open?

Yeah.

Yeah.

You know what, dispatch?

We just turn that 1053 to a 1051.

Are you sure it's 1051, Sir?

There's no alcohol smell.

My mother has a stroke last time Is this your mom?

She's got to go to the hospital.

The doctor said.

The doctor said.

Oh, mama, she's been like this before.

Mama.

Sonny, your mom is sick, but she ain't hospital sick.

Just put her on the couch and have to sleep it off.

She'll be fine.

But the doctors.

Do what you have been told.

On the sofa.

Sleep it off.

It's okay.

All right.

Help me get her up.

Yeah.

All right, let's go.

Easy.

Okay.

Take your time.

You need help?

All right, here we go.

Here we go.

All right.

Here you go.

Freebies.

Just food.

Just breathe.

Sir, I know a doctor down at Mercy we can call.

Maybe she can come by and take a wrap.

Mama?

Mama?

No, ma'am.

Ma'am.

Dispatch, we're now at 1055 transport to corner.

If you please.

I'm the boy's aunt.

Sorry for your loss.

Nothing you can do to change this right now.

But as young as you are, you can save yourself.

I won't be make a way You hear me child?

I will make a way.

Now listen here.

The book of Isaiah says, as plain as day I will create rivers and dry wasteland.

I will make a path in the wilderness.

I will do a new thing.

Shall you not know it?

A new thing.

It took years to find a new thing and make a way.

Took me down some roads I don't care to recall.

But the moment I heard about Freedom House I knew.

Freedom House is where I make my way.

Let me hear you tell it now.

When you hear the trumpet call your name.

And you start out on the road to glory.

And your burdens make the weak and weary.

And your soul brothers out of fear.

Say there's only one thing.

That our words reach you, power to teach you.

Power to keep you safe along the way.

You got to find a song to sing on your own.

You got to find a song to keep the peace for.

You gotta find a song that won't defeat you or betray you.

Song that won't to delay you a song that'll take you straight to your home.

And when you're lost, darkness, did for the right.

Just listen for the melody that guide you to the light.

It's the sound of salvation turns back to temptation.

Get you to the Freedom shining bright.

Yeah, find a song to sing you on your own.

The godfathers, all to keep you peaceful.

You gotta find a song to sing on your own.

sing You gotta find the song.

The singing of Freedom.

Church!

you gotta find the song.

The singing of own.

You gotta find the song, the singing of own.

You gotta find the singing of own.

Hey, brother.

Congratulations.

You sang yourself right to Freedom House.

And then you got somebody like me answering the Freedom House call.

See, I served in Vietnam.

For medical brigade in country.

You know, places like Phu Quoc Cho Lon Nha Trang All those places you would see on, Walter Cronkite while you're eating your supper.

I was there.

Now, when I come back to Pittsburgh, I was thinking the medical brigades I like was conservative knowledge with my Pittsburgh brothers and sisters.

You know, maybe a hospital orderly or even a physician's assistant.

Who knows, maybe even medical school.

That's it.

Then change in time.

Keep on.

Change.

Now, where I go, job interviews.

The first thing they want to ask me is.

Is can I handle strength?

Well, let's see.

Is he going to be alright.

He's gonna be alright.

Walk it in.

Stay with me now.

It's gonna be all right.

Can I get more bandages.

it's gonna be all right young blood.

Stay with me now, stay with me.

Answer to your query Doc, I've been diagnosed with what the other calls a case of battle fatigue.

But if you want my opinion, this whole town has a case of, battle fatigue.

One way or no.

So I just might be who you need on the front line.

Oh, all I got is.

Wait.

What do you have for all this last week?

That was last week.

My mama said on Friday.

Well, you better have your month a week.

You say ways Chanel?

Do you want something to eat, sir?

I'll be meeting Mr.

James McCoy, do you know him?

Oh, everybody knows Mr.

McCoy well, he's organizing that new training course, It's called Freedom House.

You heard of it?

Yes.

I have had the Freedom House.

Oh, you should think about setting up.

Look at you You might be still yelling Mr.

McCoy!

Usual?

Oh you know it Chanel.

But this time make it a little more well done.

Rather than steaming Cooking in there to the full of the back there, you'll be doing.

Y'all both get on my nerves.

What nerves they Order now What's the good news?

That.

Oh, I just completed the classroom portion.

Oh.

We now enter the final phases of preparation.

172 hours of clinical training at Presbyterian Hospital begins this Tuesday.

Well, that is good news.

Well, 24 remaining out of the 44 applied.

Is that your expectations?

Mr.

McCoy, compared to the national dropout rate for medical school.

This is beyond that expectations Well, actually, let me ask you something, doctor.

How did you come to think that, Pittsburgh would be the place for your pair Medical experiment?

You know, most of the doctors I talked to, they don't even know what that is.

they seem like a curious place for this kind of innovation.

Steel and smoke rust.

A lot of pain smothered.

But still simmering just inside those dark, narrow hills.

No one pretends it isn't there.

Pittsburgh is a place, and people carry that pain with them wherever they go, but they use it as a ladder.

No a crash.

Right, We build up the community by build up the thing.

Now, you showed us someone who's serious about doing good for their neighbors, and they'll do a lot good for themselves too.

I grew up in Austria during the Nazi occupation and I saw terrible things.

But the most terrible thing was living in a society where people were afraid to make things better, afraid to think about moving forward.

I came to America because this is a land where people are not afraid to make a better way for as many people as possible, whoever they are.

And I believe the Freedom House will do this.

It is a movement whose time has come in.

Well, here is what I know, a person does not get into a movement, the movement has to get into the past.

All right.

I gotta go now.

Take care.

And it stopped right here on here.

And from here, spread to the world.

I must return to the lab.

Very good to see you, Mr.

McCoy.

And till the next time doc.

that's the training advances.

If you have any particular observations to share, please call me personally.

Mr.

McCoy, I think there is something to be particularly observed.

And what would that be?

Well, seeing that our trainees go in for their clinical, they're not always treated with the most cheerful welcome when, if you know what I mean.

Doctor force dot 118 please, Doctor force please dial 118.

It says the ER Is that way.

X-ray to ICU.

X-ray please report to ICU.

Attention visiting hours for all general wards end in 15 minutes.

Attention!

Visiting hours for all general wards ends in 15 minutes.

It says it's down the hall.

Try again.

Oh.

Excuse me.

Nurse.

Excuse me.

Doctor is this the ER?

You can't be here.

Well, this is the ER.

We're supposed to be in the ER.

This is off limits to non-medicals.

What are the ambulance attendant trainees from Freedom House.

You are.

Well, this is an assignment left from the Pitt medical school.

Oh, we're assigned to follow the nurses all around in the ER.

It's the final stage of our critical training as ambulance attendant trainees.

I don't know anything about this.

What would you like?

Cause I talked to Sacramento.

Officer to verify?

We were told you're expecting us.

Tell me.

Yes, but we were expecting.

Someone else wait here please.

Code yellow Second floor, quarter three, room 212.

A reminder that staff blood drive begins this Tuesday.

Please respond.

Code yellow, room 212 Second floor.

My supervisor will confirm with administration after lunch.

Until then, supply class is down the hall.

Pick up a few mops and meet me in Ward 7 for morning rounds.

Well, I suppose we can get what we need, for exams and the extra credit for our emergency janitorial training.

That's not funny.

Oh.

Just about made it through Mr.

McCoy.

Oh.

Coffee table with a little rough, though.

See people's insides on their outsides and.

Yeah, well, now you know what a doctor know.

And I suspect you'll see a lot more on our street.

Well, when the doctor say the ambulance is going to be ready.

About three months from now.

Keep the faith.

I know the pride, Chanel, would you please See what time the ball game can start?

No problem.

Let's say, don't let me down this time.

Hey I got you.

Civil rights leader Doctor Martin Luther King junior has been shot to death in Memphis, Tennessee.

Oh my God.

standing on the balcony of his second floor hotel room.

Doctor King was struck by a bullet fired.

When the fire burns, you seek truth in the ash.

Truth invisible.

Unseen.

Unspoken.

Unheard.

And so the fire of this time shows the gleam of the soul.

That the not dying embers.

Preacher man says you can kill a man.

But you can never kill his ideas.

I dare say catch a fire so the whole world can live by its light in that easter smoke lost in pain.

One dream die another dream.

Rose a rising dream.

Of King's death foretold that rising dream we call Freedom House.

That rising dream we call Freedom House.

That dream, that Freedom.

Our house rising with the light we carry in our hearts.

And the aftermath of Dr.

King's assassination.

The Hill district was consumed by a wave of fires, and moaning.

Mercy Hospital was overwhelmed with injured.

The governor called an 1800 National Guard, with that moments morning the men of Freedom House were called to duty in what was, by all accounts, an urban war zone.

A new base station was set up, and the very hospital that had given the mosque weeks before You've reached dispatch.

Please state nature for emergency.

Dispatch.

Please state the nature of your emergency.

That's right.

Let's go.

They did not fail the test for three weeks day and night they work with Pittsburgh Police to provide emergency care to anyone in the community.

Freedom House didn't have their own vehicles yet, so they were driven to each call in police cars.

At night.

They rolled with the inside lights off.

The police wanted folks to see they were black people inside the vehicles.

So was not to become, you know, accidental targets of misdirected antagonism?

It was not the final exam they expected.

They passed with flying colors.

As a long, hot summer of 68 got underway, the question on everybody's minds was could the newly minted man of Freedom House, keep their cool.

Smile, jagoff.

Hold up.

This woman just fell over She is on the ground.

She has just fell over.

Over here.

Help!

There's a phone right up there.

Ma'am, ma'am, shoot.

Freedom House ambulance service.

How can we help you?

I just got off the bus.

A woman on there fell over.

She's on the floor.

Okay.

What is your location, sir?

Location?

We got a phone booth Forbs in Duquesne The bus stop is the lady on the bus or at the bus stop?

On the bus.

61A.

She's just passed out.

Nobody wants to move her an ambulance is on the way.

Sir, please stay calm, okay.

You go inside, I'll wait.

Down here.

You gotta be okay.

She's inside.

All right, folks, can we get some room here.

Please.

Everybody, please have a seat.

Thanks for your cooperation, ma'am.

Ma'am?

No response.

Do you see any blood on the ground?

No, but the skin is flushed off.

All right.

Airways are clear.

Breathing is normal.

Heart rate is at 135.

Let's see about the BP.

No sign of shock.

Oh, she's got her out.

Ma'am Hello.

All right.

Hello, ma'am.

My name is Dave, and this is my partner, Leroy.

Can you tell me your first name?

Ma'am, can you hear us?

Oh.

She's deaf.

Ma'am, are you deaf?

I speak a little sign language.

How are you feeling?

Hot.

Dizzy.

Can you tell her we're going to check her for some broken bones or contusions?

Ask if anything hurts.

Any pain?

No.

No pain, okay.

I'm thinking maybe heat get exhausted.

Some dehydration.

Nice toasty bus in the middle of July.

Ask if you're taking any medication.

Yes.

Diuril Oh diarrhea.

Where are you taking diarrhea?

Yes.

There goes your blood pressure drop.

Well, let's get our hydrated and into an exam room and see what else might be going on.

There you go, take your time.

One step of a time.

All right, watch your step here.

Just few more steps.

Yeah.

There you go.

She says your angels.

Ma'am, we will take you as far as Chris Hospital.

Tell the, heaven is further down the road at Boy King's Bobby.

Oh, she said she's still down.

She recovered completely.

And with that, Freedom House Ambulance Service is officially in business.

Good evening.

Are you a student?

You can come in.

Yeah.

Oh, there you are.

Welcome to Freedom House ambulance service , how can we help you?

Hi I'm sorry.

I'm Roger Stewart, Pittsburgh press.

I'm here to do an interview for an article.

Oh, glad to meet you, Mr.

Stewart.

We have some folks here who can give you quite a bit of background information for your story.

Dave!

Thank you so much, Leroy!

Come here and see.

Oh, gentlemen, Roger Stewart, Pittsburgh Press.

Nice to meet you.

So Doctor Peter Safar says that, you read about the paramedics or the number one Number one, ambulance attendance in the nation.

That is very high praise.

Very high ranking official in the medical field Dr.

Safar puts a lot of faith in us.

We don't want to let him down.

You said what Freedom House stands for.

What do you mean by that?

Oh, they have the best way to tell you is to show, We are starting a new shift.

Why don't you ride along?

That would be great.

Is is this the ambulance?

Whoa whoa whoa whoa This is a state of the art.

Mobile and intensive Okay.

Oh, this is that it?

Take you the full nature of this physical nature.

Okay, now, see, it's built on a van chair.

All right, now let's see this spacious interior.

Hey, is it just for show?

See, we need full, uninhibited access to the patient in the prone position in, front of you.

Oh, okay.

Okay.

So here you have your two way radio where you can give a hospital a heads up and they can tell you about anything, the patient body while you are root.

Oh, and this right here is a bonnerfide radio telemetry system.

See?

See the doctors come out of their patients EKG while we're working on them out here in the field, in the field Write that down.

Oh.

Very sophisticated.

It looks like an emergency room on wheels.

Oh, you know.

Is okay now.

See?

You.

Comfortable now back here, we got oxygen equipment for electric fibrillation.

Equivalent for chest treatment, burn treatment, drug injection, and may end up in you.

Yeah.

Okay.

Now, see, we carry complete obstetric delivery case, and we use them a lot more than you might imagine.

Now come on, I gotcha because babies being born.

Don't wait now, you see now over here.

We got number three respond 2202 Webster Avenue.

Priority one Reports child hit by a car.

Repeat 2202 Webster Avenue, Cross Street.

Scott, Patrick and Melinda.

Priority one, do you copy?

Unit three.

Copy Base.

and wrap.

That's.

See the house over there?

Yeah.

Come on.

All right, let's go see about that child.

Hang tight.

Upon arrival, the man determined the child had only minor injuries.

See, you never know the cars and pedestrians.

We have to be ready for anything.

And they were heroin overdose in a laundromat, standing outside of a nightclub.

An elderly man trapped underneath a top of the bookcase.

As night went on, hour after hour, the pressure never let up, and neither did the men.

Unit number three respond.

Intersection of Wiley.

and Heron callers reports on mobile collision.

One car repeat intersection.

Wiley and Heron.

Priority one do you copy?

Unit three a Buick wrapped around a phone ball and a mailbox.

Driver not wearing seatbelts.

He's on the driver's seat.

Watch the glass.

Oh, right.

It's all about.

Right now Drive before you try.

but he's, tucked in pretty tight over here.

All right, I'll get the inside.

I'll get the car.

Oh.

All right, here we go.

Oh.

Oh.

Easy now.

Easy, got it?

Easy.

Oh.

All right, all right.

I'll take his vitals.

As the man ready the injured driver for auto transport.

A small crowd gathered in the shadows.

They are quiet, watching intently but visibly in awe of how cold and efficient the men were as they went about their work.

Don't you got it?

You got it.

Oh, that's kinda be.

Many dead driver be roasted in Go City.

Oh, it's another, Freedom House screw up when I'm away.

Last week, they say this woman shot near dead in electric blues wire net.

Don't know how they bring her back, but she rolls up like Lazarus.

I never wants to take the train.

Of course, soon as he gets back, me army be sure he does.

Cannot do better than working for Freedom House.

Oh!

Industry Standard location.

Elderly female found in apartment lobby.

Possible choking.

Please respond.

Six hours into the shift, the pace slows.

We return to station.

Base where the man check the ambulance supplies is ready themselves.

Will certainly be another round of call outs before dawn.

Excuse me, gentlemen, one more question, if you don't mind.

What is the hardest day you had to learn to do this job?

The most challenging thing.

Oh, well, I suppose as you guys get to know yourself.

Before Freedom House, I wasn't sure what I could do.

Now, I know I can do anything.

I put my mind to.

See, this job.

It changes the way you look at me.

People you never thought much about before.

See when their life is in your head.

You see them a whole different way because it's you who's given their life.

Second chance.

Doctor Safar says we can save the world.

I don't know about doing all that now, but I know we can save anybody.

You can reach this ambulance here.

Hey, out work.

I've noticed.

Oh, you are.

You are famous.

Yes, you are.

Says here in the first year.

Freedom House, made 5686 runs And transported 4627 patients to hospitals.

That's an average of 16 miles a day.

Man by 19 manage.

24 hours.

Seven days a week.

Yeah.

Community support seems to come from, continue to come from every level, including foundations like the Richard King Mellon, Edgar J. Kaufman, the Allegheny Conference.

Okay.

Even a grant from the U.S.

Department of Labor right now, each passing day, the men of Freedom House continue to prove their value to the people of Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh, Tell about Freedom House now.

When skies are cloudy and gray.

Oh.

they're only gray for a day.

Wrap your troubles in dreams and dream your troubles away until that sunshine peeps through.

There's only one thing to do.

wrap your troubles in dreams.

And dream your troubles away.

Your castles may tumble That's Fate After all.

Life's funny that way No need to grumble, Just smile as they fall Weren't you King for a day?

Just remember that sunshine Always follows the rain Wrap your troubles in dreams and dream your troubles away wrap your troubles in dreams.

And dream your troubles away.

Yeah!

You know, when we start, people will worry that these, ordinary citizens.

What I'm there for to breath, wouldn't be able to deliver.

Can you believe it?

Well, it looks like you're doing such a good job.

It's making some people nervous.

What are you talking about?

You missed the story on page one, and it's a big one.

Yeah.

The newly elected mayor, the honorable Peter F. Flaherty has announced change starting with an end to all funding to Freedom House Ambulance Service Is this for real?

No way.

Oh, yes.

And for Freedom House.

A change is gonna come.

Pittsburgh is a jazzy old town, Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh is a bluesy old town Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh is a gospel shouting town.

Solid soul from the hill on down.

Pittsburgh.

Oh, Lord, Pittsburgh.

Oh, hello.

Hello.

The are the times of joy this evening.

Sweet potato special Oh, that does sound joyful enough.

Except for the frog.

I'll take one to go.

One special to go.

Oh, man.

Is that Courier you carried?

Hot out from the press.

Well give us some news we can use.

All right, all right.

And this article written by William Rice read that in the mayor's first month in office, he has fired 300 city employees.

Top to bottom.

Including the police superintendent.

Oh, why?

It is all of the mayor calling?

Oh, public service department and just cut the Freedom House budget by half.

Since the new mayor, they seem to do a more cost effective job.

Wants the police to run the Medical unit, they don't want nothing to do with emergencies.

That's why the police call Freedom House.

Did you know that the city's spent twice as much on dog kitchen than they do on Freedom House budget?

Oh, and this.

The new mayor's office refusing a $2 million federal grant.

$2 million that can go toward, repairing ambulances, getting new equipment, hire a new staff, saving more lives.

Sweet Jesus, I heard it.

Oh, no, you haven't.

I just read it earlier today.

The mayor just passed an ordinance making it illegal.

to operate An ambulance service in downtown Pittsburgh.

Okay.

Someone was supposed to do use our ambulance.

Super powers.

The same cars on the way?

Can use your super powers of this mayor operates Hey, man, stop that thing.

Stop!

You can't do that.

Everybody This is Three Rivers Stadium where union leader Nate Smith is lying down in front of a bulldozer, refuses to move, the black workers are fired from construction jobs at stadium and other Pittsburgh building sites.

Smith is lying directly in front of the bulldozer.

Yes, and the bulldozer is slowly Susan is it is.

The bulldozer still moving.

It's starting To recap, union organizer Nate Smith has about a one man sit down protest in front of an active bulldozer at Three Rivers Stadium.

Susan, are you there?

Yes, yes.

And it looks like.

Oh, no.

Oh my goodness.

Oh, this is breaking up.

Bulldozer has stopped just two feet from Nate Smith Oh oh my gosh.

Police have to move between Nate and the bulldozer as the crowd is coming into him at his feet.

Ladies and gentlemen, back down to our studio.

Good afternoon.

This is Art Pallan from KDKA news.

At 1:00.

The temperature is 29 degrees.

KDKA's visual forecast predicts steady to slowly falling temperatures.

That Nate Smith is something else.

Sounds like our Freedom House stands again.

You know history, don't always repeat itself.

But it sure does seem to rise.

Especially here in Pittsburgh.

What else is in here?

Hey!

How are you!

Any flavor you had is great.

Great Cherokee red it is.

Now square Oh.

Mr McCoy.

Any news my friend?

There isn't any new bad news.

The mayor's still playing the cutting profit but he's still refusing to restore the Freedom House budget.

But I found new foundation funding.

So even though the local politicians have jumped ship, the Fed's love Freedom House, we are in line.

We are in line for a very large grant from the EMS system that Congress just passed Yeah!

It is good news.

Oh.

What are you dreading?

Just at the start of, You mean.

Right?

We get enough from around, Saint Chanel, Would you please bring me, devil of whatever hobby that is?

Since I am a none native, can you fill me in on some local history gaps?

When is this neighborhood start to thin out?

I'll do my best, but, All right, keep this.

Until you said, We are right now.

Now, I was born in Houston, Texas.

Oh, I got here In 1936.

Just planing to pass through.

Now, I found a bricklayer job in Lawrenceville, and, just decided to stay home.

Now that Hill history back then.

Oh, that was like another plan from the day.

All those, they can love to see, that was a retail store, a grocery, record store.

You know, just small businesses that kept the commerce moving and all those, torn down home you see.

Proud men and women raising families, keeping the city growing.

We had blacks from down south.

We had Italians, Irish, Hungarian, Jews, even people from the Middle East.

Now, the Hill District that was the first, first place you stepped off that train bus.

Oh.

All right.

Now, now I gotta go.

Oh, see you.

Gina, thank you so much for a lot of great, music spot to grow here, Man, music and culture was everywhere in the Hill.

I mean you had, entertainers like, Joe, Lena Horne, Duke Ellington and, oh, we also had at least two, like, Satchel Paige and Joe Hill, you know, from the Harlem Renaissance, he used to call his the, the, the crossroads of the world.

But then in 1950, city leaders decided they wanted a modern Pittsburgh.

And they started by physically tearing down the black neighborhoods next to downtown.

Over 8000 Hill District residents were displaced.

400 businesses shut down, a tight knit economy broken and community completely dispersed.

Wow.

I that's I'm impressed.

Where did that come from?

I was homicide major and hit with a minor in urban planning.

This is my after class game.

Go pants.

Oh, hold of that, elucidate us, a little further please.

Yeah, tell us more.

Early on, the city had a plan to compensate the property owners for some of the buildings that were taken.

But the thousands of people who live in those buildings, they were not compensated or assisted with relocation.

The cycle of neglect intensified, which made it impossible to attract new businesses or maintain access to basic resources.

Is it?

That's why this jump start home grown ambulance service is a big deal.

And not just to the field of medicine, but to the people who live in.

You see people, oh the Hill have always been told that what they do don't count for much.

From cradle to grave, we are spoken about spoken truth and spoken for.

But Freedom House that is us talking.

And people finally know they ought to listen.

Well, thank you everyone, and welcome to our director, Doctor Peter Safar.

He has not been taking this budget cutting business line down, he's advocating for Freedom House behind the scenes, on the scenes and all the way up to the mayor in person.

Here he is.

My friends, we cannot become distracted by events outside our control.

Bureaucracy is a challenge to be conquered with a righteous shout out to the slight tolerance for stupidity and when necessary, the biggest fire hose that you could find to blow it all the way Over the last two years your stand up performance has helped Freedom reached new levels of excellence, but there are still high levels within our grasp.

Let me introduce our first full time medical director, Doctor Nancy.

Caroline comes to us from Harvard Medical School.

Welcome to Pittsburgh Dr.

Caroline.

Thank you.

We have had her working in the intensive care unit, the Presbyterian Hospital here at Freedom House.

She will provide direct oversight of our training and our field response.

A few words, please, doctor.

Oh.

Well, to be truthful, when I first moved to Pittsburgh a few months ago, I do not know what a paramedic was, or what they do.

there are too many in the medical field who are unaware of the important work you do here every day.

We will change that.

As Doctor Safar said, my background is in emergency medicine and intensive care.

Like him, and like you, I believe intensive care should begin when the patient needs the care.

Absolutely.

Do you want to monitor the dispatch calls Dr.

Caroline.

Oh, no.

I'll be running to the calls with you.

And you.

Oh.

She will All right.

She joined the crew and she went on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, never going home.

She just slept on a couch Freedom House office or on the back of the ambulance.

Caroline run up and back in between runs.

It was like one of those one minute of what the medics have been doing.

She never talked about herself much.

I heard she had a doctor boyfriend back in Boston, took his own life.

Maybe she thought the live saving at Freedom House would make up for him.

I heard unfeeling, I'm unable to say this, but one thing we know for sure that Doctor Safar.

She never missed a chance to say what was on her mind.

What's the problem?

Oh, no problem, doctor, just, taking a look at the readouts from, new EKG models.

You know, it helps a lot to have that in ambulance, so.

You're not reading it fast enough.

Oh, Beg your pardon.

The last run we run, I watched you.

You were slow.

Too slow.

Well, I okay, you're talking about reading the AV blocks.

Okay, let me show you an easier way.

Oh Dave, Come take a look at this.

Sure thing.

Doc.

Now first degree block.

The QT interval is normal.

But the PR interval is prolonged.

It's regular, but prolonged.

Now the second degree.

The PR interval keeps getting longer.

Longer until it drops off entirely.

And there's no QR as complex at all.

Oh, we learned about that in our exam.

It's called.

Oh, Wenckebach remember this way.

Longer, longer, longer drop.

That is Wenckebach.

Longer, longer, longer, drop.

That is Wenckebach.

Longer, longer, longer, drop that is a Wenckebach.

Longer, longer, longer, drop that is a Wenckebach.

Exactly.

I know it's silly, but it always works for me and it saves time.

Silly can save time.

Silly can save a lot.

True.

Unit number 2 Respond 239 fourth Avenue, seventh floor call reports male subject with cardiac Incident in Progress repeat, 239 fourth Avenue.

Floor number 7.

Priority one.

Do you copy?

Unit 2.

Copy.

Dispatch.

We are on route.

One of those old office buildings Downtown, 7 floor, very small elevator, if I remember.

Might have to hike the stairs.

I hope you had your wish for breakfast.

Okay.

Oh, thanks for the EKG, Dr.

Caroline.

We might need it on this next.

This is Freedom House.

Dispatch available unit respond for 2526 Alma Street Caller for female subject with acute respiratory distress.

in progress, repeat 2526 Alma Street.

Priority one available unit respond.

Alma Street that's around the corner.

Who's in the back.

Dispatch.

Hello?

Hello.

Never mind, we'll take it.

Oh He's in the last office down the Hurry, hurry.

The ambulance is here Mr.

Gray.

All right, sir.

My name is Dave, And this is Leroy.

I'm gonna look at you very quick.

Oh, no, no, don't touch me.

Nice meeting you all.

Good luck.

Can someone please open the door?

Freedom House ambulance is here.

Freedom who?

Oh, we don't want you in this house Get away!

Sir, we are going to put this Blood pressure cuff around your arm.

Okay, now, don't you worry about this.

Just relax now.

Get away!

Don't you come in this house.

Yes, sir.

I see you're having some chest pain.

We are trained paramedics.

We work with Presby and Mercy Hospital.

Get somebody else.

Ma'am if someone is sick or injured.

We have to get inside to help them stay away.

Get somebody else.

Stay away!

All right, sir without immediate care, you are likely going to die.

And we are the only people who can give you that care immediately.

Some somebody else the patient needs us.

She needs us now.

Please, ma'am.

Please open the door.

while we still have time.

I don't want you here.

I'm not here for you.

I'm here for the patient.

And I'm coming in.

Oh.

All right, so we are going to carry you down these, seven flights of stairs.

It will be a lot easier if you was alive.

All right.

Please help.

Please.

All right, sir, we're going to conduct an EKG to you to see what's wrong with your heart.

Two please.

Two please.

Tough shift tonight both?

Time to talk about it.

He will anyway.

I mean, what can I say about some people?

This man is doc circling the drain.

Oh, he's very, very, very And Saint Peter, here you call?

And this man must be treated by someone.

By anyone who looks like Marcus Welby.

Indeed.

Well, did he finally come around?

We are pleased to report that a patient didn't use a check up and survive his heart attack.

Oh, you know, it's just like Doctor Safar said.

If you won't be off there nice, You better know how to dance.

They say, what about those new cardiac tests that they got now?

Excuse me.

Aren't you those ambulance man takes us to the hospital?

Why?

Yes, ma'am.

We do, Freedom House ambulance service.

At your service.

Before a while back.

Well, then, for, in the morning, you were helping a young girl who fell down her basement stairs.

Was that our call?

Worst fracture ankle sprained.

Right, right, right.

Closed contusional forehead.

That girl was my niece.

Well, she has some issues with her balance you know.

Well, she falls down a lot.

Couldn't get any one to come out Well, Freedom House is the first.

Oh, man.

Why don't you have a seat?

Right.

My name is Dave.

And, this here is my partner, Leroy.

Dorothy, nice to meet you.

Dorothy.

You from around here?

I live on Houston and work the Hill house.

With the actual program.

with some singers.

Oh.

Sounds like you enjoy helping people.

You should take PeriMAC training.

Open to women?

and anyone over the age of 18.

And, you are over 18, right?

Well, that would be my business now wouldn't it.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh, well.

Well, I can never do what you all do.

Me and Leroy think we couldn't either.

We had a lot to learn.

And we keep on learning but every situation.

Well, you never know what you're gonna find normal or where.

Oh, that must be terribly upsetting.

Some time.

Oh, but you see, Dorothy, anyone even call for help is someone we can help.

After years of being told that we could help ourselves, Freedom House trained us to do it.

Well.

You'll probably be seeing my niece again.

She's get to be an activate.

Oh.

Well, tell her folks we'll check in on her next time we are on the street.

And, we hope to see you again.

Soon, too.

Okay.

You got a favor?

Take this number down and call up to Freedom House and ask for the manager.

His name is Mr.

Bob.

Zepfel.

He'll tell you all have to apply.

and What's your timeline might be.

You never know what you can do to you.

Tell you do it.

Well, thank you.

Nice meeting you, sir.

Nice to meet you.

Oh, thank you.

You know, let's think about all the people out there.

Watching us in the shadows.

Feels like we're in a movie.

Oh, I think it is a move.

Except it keeps changing on us every scene.

Thank you for doing it.

Follow our Mr.

Stewart.

Freedom houses is only saving lives.

You know, We are saving lives in ways nobo could have thought possible.

Pushing the medical boundaries of what can happen outside of a hospital I mean people from around the country.

Fly to Pittsburgh to learn from us.

I heard Freedom House paramedics were the first to intimidate a patient in the field.

Yes, they were, first to use an electric shock to restart a patient's heart in the field.

First to read an 7-lead EKG while to a hospital.

I believe they also use a new treatment for opioid overdose.

Yes.

It's a nasal spray called naloxone bright name Narcan.

It can reverse an overdose.

Certainly reduce the effects.

Oh, that's a major step forward.

Freedom House is the first EMS unit to carry it.

Some day it will be in every first responders kit.

And why not prevent the overdose in the first place?

Freedom House now partners with the Salvation Army to transport patients under the influence of alcohol or drugs to a sobering center where they can receive counseling, medical care, treatment outside the criminal legal system, prioritizing care over punishment.

That just makes common sense.

But, Dr.

Caroline.

The city of Pittsburgh keeps cutting Freedom House's budget, keeps refusing grant money, to expand the number of paramedics.

Even though every neighborhood in Pittsburgh has said today want to be served by Freedom House too, can you explain that?

The simple answer is they're not seeing the medical miracles that are taking place every day on the streets of Pittsburgh.

They don't understand how the Freedom House response model can make the communities healthier and safer for everyone when they change their minds.

I guess we'll just have to show them those miracle so they can't miss it.

Should I. Just over there.

Okay.

Now, every May, Pittsburgh post the International Symposium for emergency and Critical care medicine physicians, trama specialists from around the world are going to be coming here to learn about the science of saving lives.

And this year, they're going to learn about the science of Freedom House Final Day, We'll save to mass disaster drill.

Here's the scene 10 to 15 cars completely smashed up and scattered.

Volunteers made up as victims lined everywhere Freedom House gets the call.

Our ambulances rushed to the scene from base and the public get to see what we do each and every day of the year.

Where is this taking place?

Point state park.

Across from the Hill Hotel in the middle of lunch hour to get anyone noticed.

Better get ready for our close up stand.

Freedom House to be in the national spotlight.

The men did not want to fall short.

So special classes after regular work hours preparing for the drill.

Now this is where the workstation line in its.

Positions.

Make sure you're washing for debris.

Broken glass doors twisted off.

Oh, make sure your equipment is accessible but protected.

Now this is where your crew enters earnest.

Other side of the tree arched tent.

The victims in the yellow and green categories are, Yes.

No, it's all right.

It's okay.

We'll go over this again.

You know what?

Let's take a break.

Yeah.

Five minutes.

No, for three, three minutes.

Can we do it?

Three minutes.

All right, everybody, three minutes.

Each scene and be carefully choreographed.

There are countless other logistical details.

Hello?

My parking permit should have been issued by now.

Can you tell me what the delay is?

Hello?

The drill has to be as realistic as possible.

The man will be judged not only on our preparation, but also on our ability to handle any wild current situation that might arise.

You sent it already?

Well, then why is it not my desk?

Did you send it back on only express?

Hello.

When Drill Day arrived, it was a bright and sunny afternoon temperature.

In the 70s, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered, not quite sure what to make of a whole row of rank automobiles were doing in a downtown park.

Welcome everyone.

You are witnessing the aftermath of a simulated multi casualty disaster.

Imagine that moments ago these victims were alive and well.

Now, whether they live or die depends on the medical care they received.

In the next few minutes, after the paramedics from the Freedom House ambulance service arrive on the scene to take char Is there a safety issue with the scene?

Fire, downed power lines, broken gas lines, hazardous material access debris?

First thing to determine the location and extend of injury.

Sir, I see you have swelling in your lips and mouth.

You do me a favor.

Open your mouth and sat ahhh, stick out your tongue.

Great.

I want to check your head for any injuries.

Great.

I see you have some bleeding on your leg.

We're going to go bandage all that.

You're going to be all right, sir.

They may have to suction the airway.

Administer oxygen controlled bleeding, possibly intubate the patient.

All right ma'am, Here, we're going to put this collar around your neck as a precautionary measure.

Okay?

Here you go.

All right, now, we're going to scoop this board under you, okay?

Right.

One.

Two.

Three.

All right.

We're going to seal this board around you like this.

All right.

back down, one, two three.

You are doing fine.

Wants the patients to stabilize, to make them comfortable while we transport, patients past has the history of seizure, be aware of, transporting to the hospital Alright ma'am.

We're going to take your blood pressure one more time, okay?

And then we're going to get you in the van and do a quick EKG.

Okay?

You ever seen a picture of a heart before?

Well, there's show time for the drill.

Winding down, doctor Caroline has lost her custom.

Waded into the fray.

She cannot stop herself helping the last victim into the last ambulance.

Freedom House.

They've been dispatched from their base in Mercy Hospital and arrived in a multi-person accident.

They performed the initial assessment and triage, requesting additional units treated a wide range of injuries and transported every victim to the hospital, all in just 20 minutes.

The symposium members were beyond impressed as for the public, but never seen a professional EMS crew in action.

The exercise gave Freedom House national publicity and a grant from the Department of Transportation, the only EMS agency in the country, so recognized.

The department and the White House for the Council on Emergency Medical Services that adopted Freedom House as training course as their motto.

They asked Doctor Caroline to write it all up an EMS training manual, and she did what we have been doing for eight years in Pittsburgh became the model for teaching and organizing EMS all over the United States.

In fact, that book is still used in EMS training courses all over the world today because it was real, because it was lit.

Nobody could take away what we had done or the pride we had to win.

But that didn't stop the city from going ahead with their plans to shut down Freedom House.

And with time running out, everyone was feeling the strain.

There was one last public appeal.

Mr.

mayor, honorable City Council members, you have been provided with our latest data.

If you hadn't had a chance to read, then let me summarize.

Over the last eight years Freedom House paramedics and dispatchers have handled more than 45,000 emergency calls.

We estimate that more than 2000 deaths have been prevented.

Thus when I hear the city's speak of budget cutting.

I ask, why is a human life worth in Pittsburgh under this administration?

Not to worry, we've calculated this for you.

Given our current population, the city currently budgets for emergency services, including Freedom House.

This rounds up to a total of.

$2.

Per Pittsburgher, young, old man, woman.

Black, white, everyone for you also, Mr.

Mayor.

Honorable city Council members, $2.

Whoa!

No, we won't turn around.

Oh, no, we won't turn around.

Nothing is going to bring me down.

Oh, no, I won't turn around.

Oh, no, we won't disappear.

Oh, no, we won't disappear.

You gotta say.

Take off.

I'm staying right here.

Oh, no.

We will disappear.

Oh, yes.

We'll let the people know.

Yes.

We'll, let the people know what we did with bonding show again, We'll let the people know.

Oh, go hear him now.

Oh no, We won't turn around.

Oh, no, we won't turn around.

The years go by, we're going to wear the crown.

Oh, no, we won't turn around.

Oh, no, we won't turn around.

Oh no we won't turn around.

Oh.

Hey.

Mr.

McCoy, it is good to see you.

It's good to be seen.

Next time I see you both, I expect you'll be.

wearing those long white doctor coat.

See you around in Mercy Hospital.

Well, before I became a dispatcher, I had no idea how many people in this town needed help and weren't getting it.

And now we know and what it takes to send help their way it takes Freedom House.

Chanel, would you please send some, some help their way?

Chopped chip, if you please.

you could think about staying on after the shutdown, you know, They can, shut us down, but they cannot shut out what we did.

I am thinking about starting my own ambulance services.

And if they shut that one down, I'm gonna start 2 or 3 more.

you know, back at the stuff, people were always say.

James was calling, You're supposed to be getting people ready for jobs.

But this, What you called, a paramedic.

That's a job that don't even exist.

Well, I'll tell you what.

A lot of people are alive and walking around today because of that.

Not existing jobs.

Now, when I was a boy, I learned around, and some of you may know it too, goes a little something like this little job.

So what the little grand of sand make a mile and pleasant lane and Freedom House.

Was that this first little grand sand.

That show people what a beautiful beautiful sea shore could look like.

What it may be.

With the mighty ocean Yeah yeah.

Doctor C. Comes up Oh, no, no.

Oh, stay where you are.

I don't usually stay this late at a party.

I normally don't talk as much as I do.

After having drunk as much as I probably have.

But I'm.

All of you have a reason to be proud.

You've taken your dream and made it real.

And you have people not just here in Pittsburgh, but around the country.

And if you carry the same dedication and spirit and pride, carry it for the future wherever you go, you keep alive all that is meaningful and important about Freedom House.

It's been a rare privilege to know all of you, and I'm so grateful for your friendship.

The end came on October 15th, 1975.

It was a warm Wednesday evening.

The late snow, drizzled rain.

Dispatch took the last call just before midnight.

Unit number three, please respond.

Priority one 514 Janella Street caller reports elderly woman with possible hip fracture.

Repeat 514 Janella Street, cross streets, Elba and Hallett.

Priority one.

Do you copy Unit three?

Copy this.

Freedom House's on route.

Now, half a century later, the world still talks about our legacy.

A legacy, That is an old old word in English language.

When it comes to Latin, it means a body of persons sent on a mission, an envoy, deputy, ambassador.

well that's what Freedom House was a body of very capable black persons set on a mission to save lives and to help bring the community together to save itself.

FreedomHouse brought the emergency room out of the hospital all to the street call.

Today you met programs or in communities across America, and the foundation of the very first EMS program began with Freedom House ambulance right here in Pittsburgh.

Doctor Safar's dream came true and so did the hopes and dreams of the men and women of Freedom House.

John Moon went on to be assistant chief of Pittsburgh EMS.

Dave Razor earned a PhD in public health, while Brown became paramedic coordinator of the University Health Center Department of Anesthesiology.

Miss Brown headed up the E.M.S.

operational service for the University of Pittsburgh, and went on to be a safety chief in, Cleveland.

Cleveland, Ohio Bill Raven Ash became director of the University of New Mexico EMS Academy.

Craig Simmons, district EMS chief Darnell Wilson got a nursing degree, became the first black female paramedic in serve of Pittsburgh EMS.

And Simon national anthem, the Pittsburgh Steelers games, right?

We have a past.

Now that's a different story.

In 2021, UPMC carried the legacy forward, they started Freedom House 2.0 and we paid EMT training and education program with funding from partner for work.

Since then, 14 classes have graduated.

And it's also the Freedom House EMT training Academy run by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

But today's EMS training emphasizes taking care of the whole patients.

If you show students how social factors like, insufficient housing or mental health problems, can really affect, and how acute health problems they get worse.

In 2023, the legacy group Amera Gilchrist, became the chief of Pittsburgh EMS 20 years earlier, chairman Mr.

John Moon and a critical member of the Freedom House Ambulance Service.

In her speech, she stated above for the shoulders of the giants I stand on, who are the members of the Freedom House?

Yes.

I would not be here.

The Freedom House legacy has made a difference for thousands and thousands of people all around the world, thanks to the Freedom House we owe.

Somebody say amen.

Amen, Amen.