07/01/2026
Today at 8:00 AM, Hebron Fire placed “Blood 43” in service.
Blood 43 is a regional prehospital blood transfusion unit designed to bring lifesaving blood products directly to critically bleeding patients before they ever reach the hospital.
Through this program, specially trained Hebron paramedics can carry and administer Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs) and Plasma to eligible patients suffering from severe traumatic injury, major medical bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage, and other life-threatening causes of blood loss.
Blood 43 is stationed out of Station 43, located only four minutes from the I-71/75 and I-275 interchange. This strategic location provides rapid access to major interstate exits in multiple directions and allows Blood 43 to support not only Hebron, but also the greater Northern Kentucky region, including Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Grant, Gallatin, and Dearborn County.
EMS agencies transporting a critically bleeding patient through or near the I-75 and I-275 corridors may request Blood 43 for a scene response or rendezvous, allowing eligible patients to receive a prehospital blood transfusion while en route to definitive care. This program structure allows Blood 43 to provide a systemic regional benefit.
Prehospital blood administration is a nationally recognized advancement in emergency medical care. The National Association of EMS Physicians has published support for prehospital blood product use in appropriately selected patients, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has identified prehospital blood transfusion as an important strategy to improve survival after severe trauma. Blood 43 was developed with patient safety, physician oversight, blood center coordination, provider training, strict storage, and temperature-monitoring safeguards at the center of the program.
In 2016, only five EMS agencies in the United States carried blood products. Today, over 400 EMS agencies across the country have developed prehospital blood programs. In Kentucky, Hebron Fire is the second fire department to carry blood products, and the sixth EMS agency overall.
This program would not be possible without the partnership of Hoxworth Blood Center, the support of our medical director, regional hospitals, neighboring fire and EMS agencies, and the dedication of our members who worked to bring this capability to our community.
This is a major step forward for prehospital emergency care in Northern Kentucky!
Blood 43 is ready to respond.
