The Canton Fire Department officially launched the Field Transfusion Paramedic Program last week, and individuals and representatives from agencies that supported the program visited Canton Fire Headquarters to hear about how the initiative can improve emergency medical responses throughout the region.
Canton Fire EMS Coordinator Paramedic Leo Reardon showed the EMS Special Operations vehicle, which stores the equipment and materials – like a refrigeration unit – needed to safely and effectively facilitate prehospital whole blood transfusions. The truck has all of the qualifications of an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance but does not carry patients.
Guests also looked inside Canton Fire’s simulation unit where paramedics have been training to improve their transfusion skillset, practicing the activation protocol, and honing their patient assessment skills. The unit includes an ALS Simulation Mannequin to train paramedics via simulated scenarios that cover situations or complications they may face in the field.
The new Field Transfusion Paramedic Program was announced by Canton Fire in February, and paramedics selected for the program completed training in early March. It is Massachusetts’ first emergency response program providing prehospital whole blood. The program is supported by federal funding awarded to the Southeast Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council by the Office of Grants and Research.