NEW ORLEANS — In severe trauma, every second saved before reaching the operating room increases a patient’s chance of survival, and field-deployed blood coolers bridge that critical window. Severe hemorrhage remains the leading preventable cause of trauma death nationwide, where immediate access to whole blood transfusion in the field can mean the difference between life and death.

To protect those vital minutes, New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS) and the American Red Cross Louisiana Region hosted a demonstration and equipment presentation Wednesday morning at NOEMS headquarters to showcase specialized blood cooling units donated by the Red Cross.

The medical-grade blood storage units feature continuous hospital-grade temperature control and real-time digital monitoring, ensuring life-saving blood products remain preserved and ready for rapid administration across the city.

“Having blood on scene transforms our ability to treat severe trauma, but maintaining the blood in field conditions can be challenging without the right equipment,” said Bill Salmeron, Chief of New Orleans EMS. “On behalf of our entire department and the community we serve, we want to thank the American Red Cross for this generous donation. These state-of-the-art cooling units give our paramedics complete confidence that every drop of blood we carry is safely preserved and ready for immediate deployment. This equipment directly strengthens our frontline capabilities and will help us save more lives on the streets of New Orleans.”

During Wednesday’s presentation, paramedics demonstrated how the digital monitoring hardware maintains exact temperatures and walked through the rapid retrieval and deployment of the emergency blood process.

“Just as we train everyday people in CPR so they can sustain life in the critical moments before first responders arrive, we are honored to equip New Orleans EMS with tools that can help sustain life until a patient reaches the hospital,” said Kenneth St. Charles, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region. “These blood coolers represent another example of the Red Cross responding to community needs beyond disaster relief, helping strengthen the lifesaving network that serves our families and neighbors every day.  The Red Cross relies on the generosity of donors to make investments like this possible. Their support enables us not only to respond when hurricanes and other disasters strike, but also to partner with frontline agencies year-round to improve emergency preparedness and public safety. Together with New Orleans EMS, we are helping ensure that when a medical emergency occurs, our community has support from the moment a 911 call is placed until a patient receives hospital care.”

The equipment donation reflects a shared mission to protect human life and build resilient communities through collaboration. Made possible by the generosity of donors who support the Red Cross mission, the humanitarian organization prepares communities for crises of every scale and supplies local hospitals directly through its national Rare Blood Program.

About New Orleans EMS: New Orleans EMS provides advanced emergency medical services to residents and visitors throughout the City of New Orleans. Its Prehospital Blood Program allows specially equipped paramedic crews to carry blood products into the field and begin resuscitation for patients experiencing life-threatening blood loss before hospital arrival.

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org.