Fire Rescue to Carry Whole Blood for Emergency Transfusions

Alachua County Fire Rescue is proud to announce the launch of a new program, in partnership with UF Health, to provide whole-blood transfusions at emergency scenes to help save lives.

The initiative is designed to improve survival rates for patients suffering traumatic injuries, particularly those experiencing severe blood loss. Trauma is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of death for people ages 1 to 44.

Uncontrolled bleeding is the most common cause of preventable death in trauma cases. While first responders work to stop bleeding, emergency blood transfusions are among the most effective life-saving treatments. However, only about 1% of emergency medical service agencies nationwide currently carry blood products.

Alachua County Fire Rescue's Whole Blood Program aims to close that gap by allowing paramedics to administer transfusions before patients reach a hospital.

"No one's precious donation of blood will go to waste," Assistant Fire Chief Misty Woods said. "If we don't use it in the field, it will be returned to UF Health to be used in the hospital before it expires."

Research supports early transfusion in trauma care. A 2024 study of almost 1,400 patients found that survival rates declined significantly with each minute of delay in receiving blood. Patients who received transfusions within 15 minutes had substantially higher survival rates, even in severe cases.

Furthermore, a 2025 study found patients with the most severe bleeding were 2.7 times more likely to survive when they received blood from EMS rather than waiting until arrival at a hospital. The study also found prehospital transfusions were 17% more effective at reversing shock and resulted in one additional life saved for every 17 patients treated.

Additional research indicates children with severe bleeding were 46% less likely to die when they received transfusions from EMS compared with those who waited for hospital care.

"We are proud to bring this life-saving program to Alachua County," said Fire Chief Harold Theus. "By equipping our first responders with the ability to administer whole blood in the field, we are addressing the critical window of time that can mean the difference between life and death."

The program represents a significant advancement in prehospital emergency care, delivering critical treatment at the scene when it matters most.

For more information, contact Misty Woods at 352-214-8452 or [email protected].

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