Cobb County EMS among the first to offer life-saving, pre-hospital blood transfusions in Georgia

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Already in the business of saving lives, Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services has a new method to help improve victims' survival rates.

As of Friday, certain emergency response units now carry blood bags and plasma, making the department one of the first in Georgia equipped to perform pre-hospital blood transfusions.

“Every second matters in trauma care, and by administering blood products at the point of injury, we can provide life-saving interventions sooner,” EMS Division Chief Nick Adams said. “This program represents a major advancement in pre-hospital emergency medicine and underscores our commitment to delivering the highest level of care to our community.”

The program is possible through a partnership with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, a nonprofit that operates in Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

“We are excited to begin this new partnership with Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services and are grateful for the opportunity to support the vital work they do in our community,” said Lori Russell, LifeSouth’s Georgia director. “Cobb County blood donors can help our efforts by donating blood with LifeSouth.”

The first crew to carry the special equipment is Cobb Fire & Emergency Services Medical Operations, whose members have been trained and certified to administer blood and plasma.

The program launched on Valentine’s Day — which is also National Donor Day.