FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SAMPLE)

DATE: 10/28/2025

CONTACT: Matthew Michela, Communications Specialist  

‍    ‍matthew.michela@(REMOVED)

       Mobile: (REMOVED)

‍ ‍

West Valley City Fire Department Partners with (REMOVED) to Deliver Life-Saving Whole Blood in the Field.

West Valley City Fire Department is now providing life-saving whole blood to patients experiencing significant blood loss before they get to the hospital, thanks to a partnership with (REMOVED) Health.

This is the first pre-hospital whole blood program in Utah.

Trauma ranks as the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States, with uncontrolled bleeding responsible for over 30% of trauma-related fatalities. Nationally, only 1% of emergency medical service agencies carry blood products.

By delivering whole blood in the field, EMS providers in West Valley City can initiate resuscitation sooner, significantly improving patients' chances of survival.

“With this program we are trying to reach forward in the timeframe of a patient’s hemorrhagic shock and provide them a life-saving transfusion,” said (REMOVED), MD, medical director West Valley City Fire Department.

Timely blood transfusions can mean the difference between life and death. Research shows that every minute of delay in accessing blood increases mortality odds by 2%. Through this program, paramedic supervisors can provide whole blood directly at the scene or en route to the hospital, significantly improving patient outcomes.

"For patients with massive bleeding, seconds matter,” said (REMOVED), MD,(REMOVED) Health trauma surgeon and associate medical director of trauma surgery at (REMOVED) Medical Center in Murray. ”This program extends a lifesaving resource into the hands of our EMS teams so that we have a better shot at providing definitive care in the hospital."

Whole blood is superior to normal IV fluids for several reasons:

· It provides a balanced transfusion by replacing all components lost, ensuring a comprehensive approach to patient care.

· It simplifies the administration process by requiring only one product.

· This leads to better patient outcomes, including doubling survival rates for those experiencing hemorrhagic shock.

· Additionally, patients who receive whole blood early in their treatment often require fewer blood transfusions during their recovery.

The launch of this program follows months of dedicated planning and a partnership between West Valley City and (REMOVED) Health.

This life-saving program needs continued support from the community through blood donation. With just one hour of your time, you can make a difference. One donation has the potential to save three lives.

Visuals:A live training exercise will be performed during media availability to demonstrate how blood transfusions will be used in the field.

WHAT: Pre-Hospital Whole Blood Transfusion

WHEN: October 28st, 10:00AM

WHERE: WVCFD Station 74, 5545 W 3100 S, West Valley City, UT 84120

Interviews available from 10:00AM

Training Scenario at 10:20AM

Media interviews and b-roll available from 10:00AM to 11:00AM

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