HESPERIA, Calif. (VVNG.com) — San Bernardino County Fire has launched a new pre-hospital blood transfusion program in Hesperia, allowing paramedics to carry and administer packed red blood cells to patients suffering from severe hemorrhagic shock.
The program, announced Friday, May 15, 2026, was created through a Local Optional Scope of Practice, also known as LOSOP, and is designed to bring advanced trauma care directly to patients before they arrive at the hospital.
Historically, first responders have had limited options in the field to replace significant blood or fluid loss during traumatic emergencies. According to a written statement from San Bernardino County Fire, research continues to show that blood component therapy is one of the most effective treatments for patients experiencing hemorrhagic shock.
“This advanced treatment gives paramedics another lifesaving tool for critically injured patients, especially in areas with longer transport times to trauma centers,” according to the department’s written statement.
The program is especially important for High Desert communities, where trauma patients often face extended transport times to hospitals capable of providing advanced trauma care.
San Bernardino County Fire said the recent addition of St. Mary Medical Center as a Level III Trauma Center, combined with the launch of pre-hospital blood transfusions, means critically injured patients can begin receiving advanced care sooner than ever before.
Along with the announcement, the department released a video featuring Dr. Troy Pennington, Medical Director at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, who explained the importance of delivering blood products sooner to trauma patients in remote areas like the High Desert.
“Trauma is the leading cause of death in adults under age 44 years,” said Pennington. “If you’ve got a longer transport time to the hospital, especially in a remote area like the High Desert, you have a dramatically increased risk of death and dying.”
Pennington said studies have consistently shown that survival rates improve when blood transfusions are started earlier in the treatment process.
“They’ve shown through numerous studies that we can decrease your risk of death if we can get the blood to the patient quicker,” Pennington said.
He said Hesperia Fire Station 302 was selected as the launch site because of its distance from trauma centers and the unique geographic challenges faced by emergency responders in the region.
“One of the reasons I’m excited about being here today in Hesperia at Station 302 was we’re kicking off our pre-hospital packed red blood cells program,” Pennington said. “This is one of only a handful of areas in California that are now going to start with pre-hospital packed red blood cells.”
Pennington described the initiative as a way to move critical trauma care directly to patients before they ever arrive at a hospital.
“Essentially, you’re bringing the trauma center closer to the patient,” he said.
According to Pennington, San Bernardino County Fire personnel spent nearly a year preparing for the launch through training, education, logistics, and medical oversight.
“For the better part of the last year our team at the San Bernardino County Fire Department has been working together with training and education and on logistics and oversight to put together a pre-hospital blood program,” Pennington said.
He said Hesperia was chosen as the first location because geography and transport times can play a major role in survival outcomes.
“Out of all of the regions in our county, we chose this one first because in Hesperia, geography matters,” Pennington said. “You’re further away from that definitive care, so we’re bringing the definitive care. We’re bringing that trauma center to you.”
Pennington added that the new program could reduce the amount of time it takes for severely injured patients to receive blood transfusions from more than 30 minutes down to just minutes after paramedics arrive on scene.
“We’re gonna be able to provide that blood within that first 8-10-12 minutes versus you waiting to get out to the hospital with the trauma center, which may be as long as a half an hour or more before you can receive that initial blood transfusion,” he said.
Fire Chief Dan Munsey praised the department’s paramedics and the impact the program is expected to have throughout the county.
“Our San Bernardino County Fire paramedics continue to innovate and advance their profession,” said Munsey. “I am excited for this life saving initiative, it will make such a critical difference towards positive outcomes for the people we serve.”
San Bernardino County Fire will partner with LifeStream Blood Bank to support the program and help replenish blood supplies through future community blood drives.
The department said the initiative represents another step forward in bringing advanced, lifesaving care directly to the people of San Bernardino County.
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