09/15/2026
EAGLE III has been carrying whole blood since 2025, and now County Rescue is expanding access to the ground response as well. This is what happens when local partners come together to give patients more options during critical moments ❤️
Learn more about the program and how you can help support the community blood supply through next week's blood drive.
*For Immediate Release*
September 15, 2026
County Rescue Brings Whole Blood Access to 911 Response
County Rescue is expanding the treatment available for patients experiencing life-threatening bleeding by bringing whole blood directly to patients during 911 emergencies.
Through the new ambulance whole blood program, County Rescue can begin transfusions at the scene or during transport when a patient meets established clinical criteria. This allows an important, time-sensitive treatment to begin earlier - while the patient is being transported to definitive hospital care.
“This program allows us to bring another critical treatment directly to the patient rather than waiting until they reach the hospital,” said Nathan Riehl, Director of Medical Operations at County Rescue. “When someone is experiencing life-threatening blood loss, our team can now begin blood transfusion during the earliest phase of care, while continuing to move that patient toward definitive treatment.”
Whole blood contains red blood cells, plasma and platelets, the primary components lost during severe bleeding, into a single product. While these components may be transfused separately in the hospital setting, whole blood provides them together, making it particularly well suited for rapid treatment of life-threatening blood loss in the prehospital environment.
Program Builds on Strong Community Partnership
Under the partnership, the process begins with community members donating blood through The Community Blood Center (CBC). CBC then processes the donations at its state-of-the-art laboratory before delivering the whole blood to the HSHS St. Vincent Hospital laboratory within 24 to 48 hours. HSHS St. Vincent oversees the blood’s storage and quality control before coordinating its delivery to County Rescue.
The whole blood is then stored in specialized refrigeration units on County Rescue chase vehicles, where it is readily available to support ambulance crews responding to 911 calls. When a patient meets established clinical criteria, paramedics can access the blood and begin transfusion at the scene or during transport, bringing this critical treatment to the patient as quickly as possible.
“We are so grateful to our local emergency responders and The Community Blood Center for their partnership in bringing this vital resource to our region,” said Anna Burkhardt, Laboratory Lead, HSHS St. Vincent Hospital. “Our collaboration ensures patients receive high-quality, uninterrupted care from the moment first responders arrive to an emergency and all through their treatment and recovery in the hospital.”
Bringing Treatment Closer to the Patient
For patients experiencing life-threatening hemorrhage, every minute matters. Having whole blood available in the prehospital setting allows EMS clinicians to begin replacing blood loss from severe bleeding as early as possible, while transporting the patient to the hospital for definitive care.
The program also establishes a coordinated process for the storage, transportation and replenishment of whole blood, helping ensure a reliable supply is available when needed and strengthening the connection between prehospital and hospital care.
“As a Level II trauma center, our trauma teams know firsthand how every second counts for severely injured patients,” said Dr. Kyle McCarty, Medical Director of Emergency Medicine, HSHS St. Vincent Hospital. “Starting a whole blood transfusion during transport helps stabilize patients before they ever walk through our doors, giving them the strongest possible chance of recovery from the moment they arrive.”
A Community-Powered System
“Every unit of whole blood carried by County Rescue begins with a volunteer donor who chose to give through The Community Blood Center. From the donor, to CBC, to the HSHS St. Vincent Hospital laboratory, and ultimately to the EMS team providing care, every step is made possible through partnership,” said Nathan Riehl, Director of Medical Operations at County Rescue. “It truly takes a community working together to make this possible. That connection between a donor and a patient can make a meaningful difference when every minute matters.”
“Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. You never know when it could be a friend, a family member or a neighbor," said John Hagins, President & CEO, The Community Blood Center. “By donating, you help agencies like County Rescue provide lifesaving blood donations when every second counts.”
Help Keep the Blood Supply Strong
To help support the blood supply that makes this program possible, County Rescue will host a community blood drive in partnership with The Community Blood Center on Thursday, September 24, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 1751 Allouez Ave., Green Bay.
To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-280-4102 or visit communityblood.org/donor, select “Donate Now,” and search for sponsor code N915.
Community members are encouraged to donate and help strengthen our local blood supply. Every donation has the potential to become part of the critical care provided to a patient experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
From donor to patient, every donation plays a role, and every minute matters.
