Blood On Call: Boca Raton EMTs Get New Lifesaving Tool

A Boca Raton EMT demonstrates the ‘whole blood’ administration process. (Photo: City of Boca Raton)

Boca Raton’s Fire-Rescue service will join the less than 2 percent of EMS services in the nation that will be able to perform emergency blood transfusions that can save lives in the most dire of situations.

The city announced Wednesday that it is now equipping its firefighter-paramedics with “whole blood” for use in the field, allowing first responders to provide advanced, life-saving treatment to critically injured and ill patients before they arrive at the hospital. “Whole blood,” according to EMT.gov, is a substance that provides red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma to patients in emergencies, going beyond the standard practice of providing patients with IV fluids. The carriage of whole blood will allow EMTs to provide the life-saving treatment to critically injured and ill patients before they arrive at the hospital. One of the most frequent usage cases for whole blood is for tending to victims of car crashes when they have lost a large amount of their natural blood.

In Boca Raton, the blood is carried on a specially-equipped Fire Rescue EMS supervisor vehicle that can be dispatched anywhere within Boca Raton city limits. The blood is stored in a temperature‑controlled cooler on the EMS vehicle and monitored through a digital tracking system that ensures safety and accountability from the moment it is received until it is used in patient care. Fire Rescue personnel carry specialized equipment to warm and administer blood at the patient’s side, allowing treatment to begin before the patient arrives at the hospital.

According to city officials, all Boca Raton firefighters are certified paramedics and have undergone specialized training on the storage, warming, handling, and administration of whole blood.

A Boca Raton EMT demonstrates the ‘whole blood’ administration process. (Photo: City of Boca Raton)

The Boca Raton Fire-Rescue station on the barrier island. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

“Administering blood in pre-hospital environments is a critical intervention that can significantly improve patient outcomes,” said Fire Chief John Treanor. “Boca Raton Fire Rescue is now equipped to perform this vital procedure, enhancing our service delivery to those we serve.”

Only an estimated 1 to 2 percent of emergency ground transport units nationwide currently carry whole blood, placing Boca Raton Fire Rescue among a unique group of agencies “leading advancements in prehospital emergency medicine,” the city said in an announcement.