The Omaha Fire Department has launched Nebraska’s first ground-based prehospital blood transfusion program, an innovative and lifesaving initiative designed to improve survival rates in trauma and critical medical emergencies. As of June 30, OFD Medic units M21 and M31 are equipped with transfusable blood, making Omaha the first city in the state to offer this critical capability outside of air ambulance services.
On July 7, two additional Medic units, M42 and M61, also began carrying whole blood. This expansion will strategically position blood supplies at all four corners of the city, ensuring comprehensive, citywide coverage and rapid response.
This groundbreaking program is the result of a collaborative partnership between the Omaha Fire Department, Nebraska Medicine and the Nebraska Community Blood Bank.
Previously, the only EMS units in Nebraska and Iowa equipped for pre-hospital blood transfusions were LifeNet helicopter ambulances, which operate from five locations across the state with limited blood inventory. With this new initiative, ground-based EMS providers now can initiate transfusions directly at the scene or during transport, providing critically needed care to patients suffering from life-threatening blood loss due to trauma or medical emergencies.
“Having a blood supply in emergency vehicles that enables paramedics to begin transfusions at the scene could have prevented over 150 deaths in the past five years in the Omaha area,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Reynold Henry, MD, Nebraska Medicine trauma surgeon and lead on the project who also is an assistant professor in the UNMC Department of Surgery. “Going forward, this initiative could save more than 30 lives each year.”
Leadership at the Omaha Fire Department emphasized the program’s potential to transform prehospital emergency care.
“This program represents a significant breakthrough in how we respond to trauma and critical emergencies,” said Fire Chief Kathy Bossman of the Omaha Fire Department. “By equipping our medic units with lifesaving blood, we are enhancing our ability to deliver immediate, advanced care in the field. This program has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and sets a new standard for prehospital emergency care in our community.”
Nebraska Community Blood Bank will manage and supply the program with a consistent and reliable inventory of whole blood.
“Every second counts in an emergency,” said Cheryl Warholoski, executive director of the Nebraska Community Blood Bank. “Having blood onboard ambulances will help save lives before patients even reach the hospital. We’re proud to help make this a reality in partnership with the Omaha Fire Department and Nebraska Medicine.”
This pioneering initiative already is drawing interest from other fire departments across the state. Discussions are underway with departments in Bellevue, Lincoln and Kearney to expand the program. Private donors and community partners also have expressed interest in supporting the next phase, with Nebraska Medicine continuing to play a key role in guiding its development and broader rollout.