More life-saving methods are available on ambulances in two West Virginia counties.
The state Department of Health announced Tuesday that West Virginia is the first state in the country to provide statewide protocols for the administration of whole blood on ambulances.
According to the Department of Health’s Director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services, Joseph Ratliff, whole blood transfusions help restore a patient’s blood volume and clotting function much faster than traditional blood component therapy.
Ratliff said administering whole blood to trauma patients can significantly improve their chances of survival.
“Bleeding is often an early cause of death when it comes to trauma patients, but it doesn’t have to be,” Ratliff said. “I’m pleased to see these two counties stepping up to answer the call by providing this lifesaving service to residents.”
Cabell County EMS started offering the service in November of 2023, and in March of 2024, Harrison County also began carrying whole blood on ambulances.
Paramedics delivering whole blood on ambulances in these two counties are trained to administer the transfusion.
To expand the program, the state needs more blood donations. To make an appointment, donors may download the Red Cross Blood Donor App and use “Rapid Pass” which speeds up the time it takes to donate by allowing donors to fill out the questionnaire online.
Donors may also make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS 1-800-733-2767.
Storms swept West Virginia on Tuesday, providing rainfall over wildfires in the eastern region of the state. Meanwhile, residents are still grappling with property damages on the ground.
Storms swept through West Virginia on Tuesday, knocking down trees and powerlines.
But the rainfall provided an unexpected benefit to communities in the Potomac Highlands and Eastern Panhandle: helping quash fires that have burned for days on end.
Emergency responders are continuing to monitor the region after extensive wildfires burned through more than 5,000 acres in late March.
All of the wildfires have since been contained, which means emergency responders have surrounded them to restrict their spread. But portions of the fire continue to burn, and smaller fires have popped up elsewhere in the state.
Now, the added rainfall has helped emergency responders gain further control over the wildfires, according to Assistant State Forester Linda Carnell.
“We’ve already got over an inch of rain,” she said. “Yes, there are hindrances to too much rain. But, in the long run, this will definitely help get the upper edge on all these fires.”
Still, Carnell said rainstorms are often followed by intense winds. That means residents should remain vigilant about fire safety protocol.
In the meantime, though, she said emergency responders are appreciative of the win.
“It’s a good thing. We’re happy for the rain,” Carnell said. “We definitely needed it.”
A large puddle on Shepherd University’s campus Tuesday following heavy rain. Rainstorms on Tuesday and Wednesday helped further contain wildfires in West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands and Eastern Panhandle.
Photo Credit: Jack Walker/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
While the wildfires have been contained, damages continue to affect residents on the ground.
Paul Lewis serves as director of emergency management for Hardy County, one of the areas most affected by the fires. He said the fires have caused significant structural damage, and displaced some residents from their homes.
“We’ve had some houses lost and those people right now are in one of the shelters trying to find a place to relocate,” he said. “There’s at least two families there.”
In addition to homes, several cabins and outbuildings have been destroyed by the flames, he said.
While county officials continue to monitor the situation locally, Lewis said that residents have coordinated with relief organizations to access additional support.
For example, the Catholic Charities of West Virginia has provided resources to residents in need. The Hardy County 4-H Camp, located in Wardensville, has also served as a temporary relief shelter for some residents, he said.
Additionally, Lewis said residents facing damage to their places of residence can contact The American Red Cross of the Greater Shenandoah Valley for further support.
Lewis said the county is still collecting data on the extent of structural damages and further updates will be provided in future.
For more information on wildfire incidents in West Virginia, visit the Division of Forestry’s Fire Report webpage.
Residents affected by the wildfires can contact the Central Appalachian Region of the American Red Cross for support.
Appalachians are still feeling the effects of flooding in eastern Kentucky, southern Virginia, and parts of West Virginia. At least 37 people have died as a result, according to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
Appalachians are still feeling the effects of flooding in eastern Kentucky, southern Virginia, and parts of West Virginia. At least 37 people have died as a result, according to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
For people wanting to help, Appalachian film and media company Appalshop, based in hard hit Whitesburg, has compiled a list of resources and organizations on its website. Many immediate needs have been met, according to the post, but several mutual aid organizations in the region are looking for cleaning supplies and direct donations.
The American Red Cross Central Appalachia Region is looking for volunteers to train and are also asking for monetary donations. Donations can be made on the organization’s website, but can also be made by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or by texting REDCROSS to 90999.
Some colleges like Eastern Kentucky University and WVU are also using their emergency funds to help their affected students from the region.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is accepting applications for both individuals and families to receive federal assistance.
The need for blood donations is at a critical level nationwide, according to the American Red Cross. Eric Douglas spoke with Erica Mani, the CEO of the Central Appalachian region, to find out what is causing the shortage.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
Douglas: It seems like there are always these kinds of drives every summer. So is this a real emergency? And why is this a real emergency?
Eric Mani, CEO of the Central Appalachian region of the American Red Cross.
Mani: It is not atypical to have blood shortages. In the summer, up to about 80 percent of our blood drive sponsors are not available, plus donors are on vacation, and they have other things that they’re prioritizing in those summer months. So to have a regular shortage is pretty common at this time of year as well as around the holidays.
But this year, it’s compounded for a couple of reasons. One, the hospitals are seeing an increased demand not only in traumas, but also in elective surgeries, because they were delayed during the pandemic. Also, we’re seeing disease progression that now requires more blood because of the prolonged delay on those surgeries.
Douglas: Because of the pandemic, people weren’t going to see their doctors. And now that they are going back to see the doctors their conditions have gotten worse to the point that they actually need more blood.
Mani: We know we’re going to have these challenges. But then coupled with this increased need at the hospitals, it creates a situation where we have less than a half day’s supply of blood on the shelves. It becomes critical. One car accident can require an individual to need up to 100 units of blood. So just one incident like that and you can see how much blood is necessary.
Douglas: Give me an idea of the scale of the problem. What is a day’s supply of blood?
Mani: We are a national blood supplier. In fact, we (the American Red Cross) are the largest supplier of blood throughout the country. We supply about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply for approximately 2,500 hospitals across the country. In order to keep up with that demand, we have to receive and collect over 12,500 units of blood on a daily basis. This current need is going to require that we collect an additional at least 1,000 units every day on top of that. So that’s a huge task because it’s a huge task to begin with.
We have to ask people to come out and give more. Only three percent of eligible Americans give blood. It is a Herculean task to get people out there. And frankly there are a lot of people who have never donated blood that we need to inspire now to come out and donate blood.
Douglas: For perspective, 12,500 units a day is the supply nationwide. And your goal is to build up a reservoir by collecting 13,500 units a day nationwide. What’s the local need?
Mani: If we were going to ballpark the specific need within this region, which encompasses all of West Virginia, and parts of Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia, we would be talking, let’s just call it for ease about 10 percent.
Douglas: So, 1,350 units of blood for this region alone?
Mani: Yes, we need to be looking at that. And making sure that not only we’re collecting that, but distributing it here and to our neighboring states.
Douglas: How long does a pint of blood last? How long can it sit on the shelf?
Mani: A blood donation only lasts 42 days, and platelets are actually five days. So we’re constantly replenishing. People may ask, “If you know there’s a shortage coming, why didn’t you stockpile?” Well, we can stockpile, but only so much when you only have so many days that you can actually have the blood on the shelf.
Douglas: Are there any blood types that are in particular demand, or do you just need everything?
Mani: We need everything, but type O blood is the most commonly used or needed. And that’s for a couple of reasons. One, O negative blood is the universal donor. So people with O negative blood can provide that and anybody can use it. And then O positive is the most common blood type. So obviously, it is one of the most needed. Forty-five percent of the blood used is going to be O blood, whether its own negative or positive.
Everyone who donates blood by July 31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card by email and will also receive automatic entry for a chance to win gas for a year — a $5,000 value. More information and details are available at rcblood.org/fuel.
Also, all those who come to donate throughout the entire month of July will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott’s Berry Farm. To learn more, visit rcblood.org/CedarFair.
Those who are interested may schedule an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
As of July 13th, the American Red Cross says it has provided more than 2,300 overnight stays, delivered over 194,000 meals and snacks and distributed more than 132,000 bulk items—such as bleach, water and clean-up kits.
The Red Cross says this weekend members of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation—a world-wide volunteer-based humanitarian organization—will be distributing debit cards to those pre-approved families which suffered damages from flooding. Applicants must bring a photo ID and proof of residence. All assistance is in addition to that offered by FEMA and/or the Red Cross.
The Tzu Chi Foundation will be available only at these times and locations:
Saturday, July 16th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Elkview Baptist Church
Sunday, July 17th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rainelle Elementary School
The American Red Cross has brought in over 850 workers from across the country.
