Kevin Hazzard

As recently as 1965, if you had a medical emergency, the people who showed up at your door would be volunteer firefighters, police officers, or undertakers with a hearse. Today, the story of how a group of Black men from Pittsburgh changed that. Kevin Hazzard’s book is American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics.Say hello on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Accomplice. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: iTunes.com/CriminalShow.Listen back through our archives at youtube.com/criminalpodcast. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery.Artwork by Julienne Alexander.Episode transcripts are posted on our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kevin Hazzard, a reporter and author of "American Sirens," joins John Moon, one of the first paramedics of Freedom House Ambulance Service. They delve into the groundbreaking history of Black paramedics in Pittsburgh, emphasizing their vital role in transforming emergency medical services during the 1960s and 70s. Hazzard and Moon share personal stories of navigating racial challenges, pioneering life-saving techniques, and the ongoing relevance of their legacy in shaping contemporary public safety and healthcare responses.

Join John Moon, a pioneering paramedic from Pittsburgh's Presbyterian University Hospital, and reporter Kevin Hazard as they explore the groundbreaking Freedom House Ambulance Service. They discuss how this service revolutionized emergency medical care in the 1970s, spotlighting the vital role of Black paramedics in reshaping public safety. Hear about the socio-economic challenges they faced, the innovations they implemented, and the ongoing legacy that continues to influence modern emergency services today.