Chesterfield Fire and EMS launches prehospital blood transfusion program
TL;DR: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS launched a prehospital whole blood transfusion program in July 2023 that delivers advanced trauma care at emergency scenes before patients reach hospitals.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS, Inova Blood Donor Services, Virginia State Police Medflight, Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services, Dr. Allen Yee (operational medical director)
- What: Prehospital whole blood transfusion program delivering O-positive blood to trauma patients at the emergency scene
- When: Program launched July 2023; ground units began carrying blood December 2023
- Where: Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
Chesterfield County Fire and EMS has launched a prehospital whole blood transfusion program designed to save lives by delivering advanced trauma care directly at the emergency scene, before patients reach the hospital.
The program began in July 2023 in partnership with Inova Blood Donor Services, regional hospitals, Virginia State Police Medflight, and the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services. The operational medical director leading the initiative is Dr. Allen Yee, who has served in that role for more than 20 years.
The program stores O-positive, low-titer whole blood in state-of-the-art coolers based at three strategically positioned fire stations: Station 15 at the Richmond-Chesterfield Executive Airport, Station 17 off Route 288, and Station 16 in western Chesterfield where transport times are longest. Since the program's launch, more than 100 units of whole blood have been administered to trauma patients. Ground units began carrying blood in December 2023, and as of mid-2026, ground crews had administered 55 units. Medflight also carries blood supplies and can respond within six minutes to any part of the county.
Dr. Yee explained the clinical advantage: when trauma patients are hemorrhaging, they lose red cells, platelets, and plasma. Whole blood replaces all of these simultaneously, raising blood pressure more effectively than saline solutions and enabling earlier clotting formation, which can reduce overall transfusion needs during hospital care. According to Lt. Greg Jones, whole blood can reduce mortality in profoundly hypotensive trauma patients by 50 percent.
As of January 2024, 60 paramedics had completed prehospital whole blood field infusion training, with additional training planned. Tactical safety officers are positioned at the three stations to assist in blood administration and transport. Response time is critical in hemorrhagic trauma. As Safety Officer Jeffery Edwards noted, transport times between distant county areas can exceed 30 minutes, making pre-hospital blood administration potentially the difference between survival and mortality.
The program has grown with community support. A 2026 blood drive organized by Chesterfield Fire and EMS collected 91 units, the highest amount the program had received to date. The program earned a 2025 National Association of Counties Achievement Award. Chesterfield Fire and EMS is assisting neighboring localities in establishing similar programs.
Key players
- Chesterfield County Fire and EMS: Program operator, paramedic and tactical safety officer deployment
- Dr. Allen Yee: Operational medical director, clinical leader of program
- Inova Blood Donor Services: Blood supply partner
- Virginia State Police Medflight: Helicopter blood transport partner
- Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services: State regulatory and coordination partner
Key dates
- 2023-07-01: Chesterfield Fire and EMS launches prehospital whole blood program with Inova Blood Donor Services partnership
- 2023-12-01: Ground units at fire stations begin carrying whole blood for field transfusion
- 2025-01-01: Program receives 2025 National Association of Counties Achievement Award
The case for
Prehospital blood transfusions can substantially reduce mortality in hemorrhagic trauma by delivering whole blood components (red cells, platelets, plasma) at the scene, restoring blood pressure and enabling clotting formation faster than traditional saline solutions, while reducing overall transfusion burden during hospital care.
The case against
Prehospital blood programs require significant infrastructure (coolers, storage, temperature monitoring), specialized training for paramedics and safety officers, reliable supply chains, and careful coordination with regional hospitals and blood services, making implementation complex and resource-intensive for counties.
Why it matters: Chesterfield residents with severe traumatic bleeding now have access to advanced emergency care at the scene, potentially improving survival rates for accidents, shootings, and other hemorrhagic emergencies. The county's model is being replicated in neighboring areas, expanding access to this life-saving intervention across the region.
Places
- Station 15 (Richmond-Chesterfield Executive Airport)+Chesterfield+VA)
- Station 16 (western Chesterfield)+Chesterfield+VA)
- Station 17 (Route 288)+Chesterfield+VA)
Development timeline
- 2023-07-01Prehospital whole blood program launches: Chesterfield Fire and EMS begins partnership with Inova Blood Donor Services to deliver O-positive whole blood to trauma patients in the field [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/6897)
- 2023-12-01Ground units begin carrying blood: Safety officers at Stations 15, 16, and 17 begin transporting whole blood to emergency scenes; 60 paramedics trained by January 2024 [[source]](https://www.12onyourside.com/2024/01/02/chesterfield-fire-ems-starts-pilot-program-whole-blood-ground-transport/)
- 2026-01-01Program crosses 100 units administered: Chesterfield Fire and EMS program has administered more than 100 units of whole blood to trauma patients since July 2023 launch [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/6897)
- 2026-07-01Community blood drive sets record: Chesterfield Fire and EMS organizes blood drive that collects 91 units, the highest amount received by the program to date [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/7095)
Related links
- Chesterfield County Fire and EMS
- Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services
- Whole Blood Program (Official County Newsflash)
Read the original at WRIC 8News Local →
Sources
- Whole Blood Program Brings Innovation and New Standard of Care to Chesterfield
- Chesterfield Fire and EMS starts pilot program for whole blood ground transport
- In Chesterfield, Tactical Safety Officers Turn Blood Donations into Lifelines
- Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services