Freedom House Ambulance Service Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill proposes to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom House Ambulance Service , acknowledging its profound impact on both the Pittsburgh community and the broader field of emergency medical services. The recognition is for their pioneering work as the first emergency medical service in the United States to be staffed by paramedics with advanced medical training beyond basic first aid. This service revolutionized pre-hospital care, which was previously limited to basic transportation by police or funeral homes, leading to unnecessary deaths from treatable conditions. Established in 1965, Freedom House Ambulance Service also served as an economic initiative, providing job training and employment opportunities for residents in Pittsburgh's predominantly Black Hill District. Despite being defunded in 1975, its innovative training model and clinical data significantly influenced the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's EMS standards and the national adoption of advanced life-support ambulance systems. Following its presentation, the gold medal will be given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture for display and research, with a Sense of Congress encouraging its display at other relevant locations. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the medal.