'A huge advantage to us:' Sarasota County Fire Department to carry whole blood

When emergency crews arrive at a traumatic scene, time is ticking. And for those who are losing blood, every second counts. That's why the Sarasota County Fire Department will soon be carrying whole blood.

When Captain Nicole Smith’s lights are activated, she is on route to a vital call. 

"I’m so passionate about EMS and the care for patients," she told FOX 13. 

Smith is the EMS Operations Captain for the Sarasota County Fire Department. 

She’s confident what’s being stored in a cooler in her truck will save lives. 

EMS captains to be equipped with whole blood

What they're saying:

"The more tools we are able to have in our tool box, it makes me feel more able and for me that’s a huge, huge advantage to us," she said. 

Starting Feb. 10, three EMS captains will be equipped with units of whole blood. 

They’ll be able to start blood transfusions once they’re called to the scene of a trauma. 

"Let’s say you are in a bad car crash, and you’re bleeding internally into your abdomen or chest, and you’re in hemorrhagic shock, we are going to be able to give blood to these patients who need blood right away," said Dr. Marshall Frank, the Medical Director for the Sarasota County Fire Dept. 

In the past, saline had been used for patients with significant blood loss. 

Frank said there’s one big benefit to carrying whole blood. 

Big picture view:

"The faster that you get blood replaced that you lost, the better you do. The outcome of these patients will be much better," he said. 

The Sarasota County Fire Department will carry Type-O whole blood. 

It has low antibodies and is safe to transfuse to patients with any blood type. 

Whole blood will be stored in military grade coolers. 

They are equipped with a warmer to heat blood to the correct temperature within seconds. 

EMS Operations Assistant Chief Brian Nadler understands the importance of what his crews are doing. 

"My sister-in-law died in 2005 from a horse riding accident, and it took her 45 minutes to get to the hospital. In a rural part of a local county, he would probably have survived her minor traumatic injury falling off of a horse if this was in place," he said. 

By the numbers:

In partnering with Suncoast Blood Centers, Chief Nadler said automatic transfusions will more than double the odds of surviving any injury and ensure patients make it home. 

"We are 1 of 156 departments that are actually going to have this program. There’s thousands of departments in the country that provide EMS," he said. 

You can donate blood to the program by going to Suncoast Blood Centers and just tell them that you’re donating for the fire department.

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