SPRINGVILLE, Ala. (WIAT) — The Springville Fire Department has launched a new program giving first responders the ability to perform pre-hospital blood transfusions. This the first time this service has been available in St. Clair County.

The department unveiled a specially equipped truck that will carry O-positive whole blood. Fire Chief Richard Harvey said the program could mean the difference between life and death for trauma patients.

“When we turn around and have the capabilities of being able to transfuse them, give them red blood cells, we can actually extend that a little bit to give them a greater period of time to be able to get to the surgeon that they need to be able to fix the underlying problem,” Harvey said.

Research says that uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of

See Full Page