When the call comes in, everything happens fast. One minute, our paramedics are on standby, and the next, they’re racing to the scene of a car wreck on I-565. The impact was severe, and Laura, a 41-year-old mom of three, is losing blood rapidly.

When emergency services arrive, minutes matter. While Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, Inc., known as HEMSI, has long provided limited trauma interventions and worked to stabilize patients in critical condition, there’s one thing that can revolutionize pre-hospital trauma care — a blood transfusion during transport.

Thanks to a truly unique partnership between HEMSI and Huntsville Hospital, the hospital blood bank is providing HEMSI with blood that’s nearing the end of its shelf life — blood that could otherwise go to waste. This blood is now on-hand for critical cases — averaging one every week — which sets a leading standard in patient care.

If Laura can be given blood 16 minutes faster, it helps prevent hypothermia and maintains enough oxygen for her to make it to the ER alive so Huntsville Hospital’s skilled Trauma team can work their magic. She survives and makes it home to her family.

These blood warmers are now located inside HEMSI’s supervisor vehicles, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of local donors and messaging produced by Huntsville Hospital Foundation (HHF) in their 2024 year-end campaign to communicate this need to our local community. HHF raised nearly $175,000 in funds to support the purchase of the new blood warmers, more than doubling the goal dollar amount for the campaign. Excess funds allowed HHF to then clear every item off of HEMSI’s wish list, including rapid infusers, transport coolers, and other innovative technology to make paramedics’ jobs safer and easier.

An automobile accident, or similar trauma situation, can happen to anyone, at any time. In that event, there is power and reassurance in knowing your paramedics have the right tools in their hands, setting you or your loved one up for the greatest chance of success. HEMSI and our not-for-profit hospital system are proud to be part of these collaborative solutions to bring the best care possible to our North Alabama communities.