By: Doyle Rader

During a press conference on Thursday, February 13, Dallas Fire-Rescue, Parkland Hospital and the American Red Cross formally announced a historic, lifesaving partnership. Dallas Fire-Rescue is conducting a prehospital mobile blood transfusion pilot program using blood collected by the Red Cross.

The program aims to ensure that trauma patients and those who are hemorrhaging have access to the necessary treatment they need before they arrive at a hospital. Having Red Cross blood available for transfusion could be the difference between life and death.

“Thanks to our partnership with Dallas Fire-Rescue and Parkland, this new mobile blood transfusion program is an exciting leap forward in patient care, allowing patients in critical need to receive life-saving blood on the way to the hospital,” Red Cross North Texas Region CEO Linda Braddy said. “And it’s all possible thanks to blood donations from generous people in Dallas and across the Metroplex.”

Traditionally, blood transfusion has been restricted to fixed-site medical establishments like hospitals. Growing evidence suggests that the sooner patients who are experiencing hemorrhagic shock due to trauma, surgery, pregnancy or other medical conditions receive a blood transfusion, the better the outcome.

“The American Red Cross supplies blood units to Parkland Hospital, where they are held until Dallas Fire Rescue EMS Supervisors retrieve them,” Dallas Fire-Rescue EMS Section Chief Chris Chiara said. “The blood units are stored in remotely monitored, military-grade coolers, designed to maintain a steady temperature to ensure the blood’s viability. Each cooler will store two units of blood. If a patient needs blood, a transfusion is initiated in the ambulance using a portable blood warming unit and specialized tubing.”

The two pilot vehicles will be based at Dallas Fire-Rescue Station 42 near Love Field Airport and at Station 32 in Pleasant Grove. They’ll respond to calls throughout the city. Dallas’ prehospital blood transfusion program is the second that the Red Cross North Texas Region supports. The Stephenville Fire Department also carries Red Cross blood in its ambulances.

“We are hopeful that this pilot program will demonstrate two things,” Dallas Fire-Rescue Medical Director Dr. Marshall Isaacs said. “First is that DFR can be good stewards of the blood supply that we are entrusted with. Second, we can administer blood quickly and appropriately and save additional lives of critically ill and injured patients in the City of Dallas.”

About 180 fire agencies and departments in the United States are currently performing prehospital blood transfusions, according to The Dallas Morning News. The Red Cross supplies blood for more than 150 such programs nationwide, including air ambulance, EMS and other services.

The Red Cross collects and distributes about 40% of the nation's blood supply. Locally, the Red Cross distributes about 100,000 blood products to hospitals every year, including Parkland.

“Together, we can ensure Dallas residents have continuous access to safe, lifesaving blood at a moment’s notice,” Braddy said. “We appreciate your support in strengthening this life-giving partnership and helping us provide hope to those who need it most.”

To book a time to give blood or platelets, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).