Braintree Fire Team Gives 1st Field Blood Transfusion After Car Crash

BRAINTREE, MA — Braintree firefighters conducted their first-ever complete blood transfusion in the field following a serious crash early Saturday morning.

Authorities worked for 40 minutes to extricate the patient from the car after the 4:45 a.m. crash, during which the patient drove their speeding car into a parked truck, according to the Braintree Fire Department.

Then, Braintree Fire Department's Field Transfusion Truck was called and followed through with the procedure for the first time since the department started its Blood Transfusion Program March 18th, officials said.

"We have been called out several times, but none of the patients have met the strict protocols we have to start the program," according to fire officials.

When called, the Braintree Fire Department's Field Transfusion Truck team responds to the scene to assess the patient.

"If they don't meet the parameters we will still travel with the ambulance crew in case the patient's condition becomes unstable en route to the trauma center," officials continued. "We cannot give blood for the sake of giving blood."

But this crash, which involved a 35-year-old man becoming trapped in his car after striking a utility pole on Hancock Street, was serious, local freelance journalist Kevin Wiles said in a post shared by Braintree police Saturday.

The truck arrived on the scene as the patient was extricated, and the "blood paramedic" assessed him in the Brewster Ambulance before the transfusion was started, according to officials. Once the patient arrived at the emergency room, they were taken to the operating room and then the intensive care unit, continuing to receive blood throughout.

"We hope this is the first of many calls that shows the importance of this new and crucial role in improving the survival rate of trauma patients," the Braintree Fire Department said. "We hope that as the program shows success, the protocols will expand to other patients."