Graduated from South Vo-Tech in 1988; studied art education at West Virginia University; earned paramedics certificate at Community College of Allegheny County.
Twelve years as Pittsburgh emergency medical technician; moved up to paramedic in 2002.
Made heroic rescue along with Paramedic April Smith to save seven people from a burning building at 5510 Black St. in Garfield on Dec. 17, 2002.
Pittsburgh City Council declared Jan. 7, 2003, as "Mr. Eric Hairston and Ms. April Smith Day" in the city.
"We just improvised a little bit because things were happening so quickly. It kinda felt like just another day, and it didn't hit us until later on that afternoon. You see a lot of firefighters and police get recognition for what they do on a day-to-day basis, but you never hear about paramedics. We're out there every day like they are, but the public doesn't see what we do. This lets them see what we're capable of doing."
