Local medical service first to carry blood products on ambulance

A Decatur County volunteer ambulance service says it will be the first in the area to carry blood products onboard.

According to the Letts Volunteer Fire and EMS Department in Decatur County, starting this evening medics will begin stocking O-positive packed red blood cells and liquid plasma. That will allow medics to start blood transfusions on patients before they reach the hospital.

The products will be stored in a medical-grade cooling unit designed specifically for emergency response. The cooler ensures safe temperature control, reliability, and portability so that blood is always ready when seconds matter.

Dan Rauh, operational medical director of Letts Fire/EMS, said being able to provide blood will give critically injured patients a better chance to survive and return home to their families.

The program will expand over the next two weeks to include a Letts Fire/EMS paramedic chase vehicle in Franklin County.

The service has been funded by proceeds from the annual fish fry at the Decatur County 4-H Fair along with grants from the Decatur County Community Foundation and the Franklin County Health Department.

Authorities say this is the first service in southeastern Indiana to carry blood products.

Photo courtesy of Letts Volunteer Fire Department