EMS discusses on-scene care, blood administration and study follow-up; grants eyed for expansion

Miss Chad, speaking for the ambulance service, summarized how the department has implemented parts of the 2017 ambulance study (EMR, QA/QI, FTO training) and detailed current operational challenges — rising run volumes, increased trauma calls during summer and staffing demands across the county.

"Early administration of blood on a trauma call increases survival rates probably 50, 60 percent," Miss Chad said when describing plans to equip a chase car for blood transport and administration; she noted refrigeration, switch-out arrangements with trauma hospitals and contracting would be needed and that the idea could be funded via grants rather than the general fund.

Miss Chad also discussed an emerging policy area — on-scene care — where state and federal pilots are encouraging EMS to provide nontransport treatment in some cases; she said liability and regulatory models are still being worked through and that broader implementation might come in 2028 as grant-funded pilots and protocols develop. Committee members asked about liability, shelf life of blood and coordination with trauma centers, and staff answered those operational questions during the presentation.

No formal decision was taken; staff will continue developing cost estimates and seeking grants to support on-scene care and potential blood-carrying capabilities for trauma responses.