Mayor Bowser Celebrates Two Years of Saving Lives Through DC Fire and EMS Department’s Whole Blood Transfusion Program

(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser was joined by DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS), District officials and healthcare partners to recognize the success of the District's Prehospital Low-Titer O-Positive Whole Blood Program, a groundbreaking initiative that is saving lives and strengthening emergency medical care across the District. Launched in April 2024, the program enables specially trained paramedics to administer whole blood transfusions to critically injured and medically unstable patients at the scene of an emergency or while en route to a hospital. Since the program's launch, FEMS has administered more than 530 units of whole blood to 492 patients, with a 93% survival rate among non-traumatic cardiac arrest patients.

"We know that 365 lives saved in two years - that's a remarkable investment in our community," said Mayor Bowser. "I'm grateful that if there is a program that can save lives and involve the community in saving lives, our Fire and EMS Department is figuring out how to bring it to DC. They did it with the Hands on Hearts program, with our AED program and now with the Whole Blood Program."

FEMS has trained more than 100 paramedics to administer whole blood and is providing transfusions roughly once every 36 hours. Historically, patients experiencing severe blood loss often did not receive blood transfusions until arriving at a trauma center. Through the Whole Blood Program, critical treatment is delivered earlier, when it can make the greatest difference. Today, whole blood can reach patients throughout the District within just ten minutes.

"Whole blood administration is one of the most significant advances in prehospital medicine in decades," said Chief John A. Donnelly, Sr. "The success of this program reflects the commitment of Mayor Bowser and the dedication of our paramedics, firefighters, physicians, hospital partners and blood suppliers who work together every day to deliver the highest level of care to our community."

Blood is collected from volunteer donors, screened for diseases, and verified to have non-significant levels (low titers) of antibodies against Type A or B blood. White blood cells are filtered out, but the blood is left whole, with plasma and platelets to promote clotting and red blood cells to carry oxygen. Residents interested in becoming blood donors are encouraged to contact their local blood donation organization to learn how they can help save lives.

The District's Whole Blood Program is part of Mayor Bowser's ongoing commitment to modernizing emergency medical services, supporting first responders and ensuring residents and visitors have access to world-class emergency care. Since the Mayor first launched the District's Hands on Hearts CPR Training Program in 2015, FEMS has trained more than 160,000 people to do hands-only CPR. And in 2024, the Bowser Administration kicked off the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) incentive program to get lifesaving technology out into the community where it can help save lives. Due to these investments, over the past decade DC has doubled the city's cardiac arrest survival score from 22% to 44%, tying for best in the nation.

To learn more about the Whole Blood Program visit fems.dc.gov/page/whole-blood.

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