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Pasadena Fire Department Joins LA-DROP, Expanding Access to Life-Saving Blood Transfusions Before Patients Reach the Hospital

Pasadena Fire Department Joins LA-DROP, Expanding Access to Life-Saving Blood Transfusions Before Patients Reach the Hospital
Aug 20 2026

Partnership with Huntington Health and Houchin Community Blood Bank brings advanced trauma and hemorrhage care directly to emergency scenes

Pasadena Fire Department announced today that it has partnered with Huntington Health, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai to join LA-DROP (Los Angeles Prehospital Blood Transfusion Program), a nationally recognized initiative that enables first responders to administer life-saving blood transfusions before patients arrive at the hospital.

The expansion brings advanced prehospital blood transfusion capabilities to Pasadena, allowing paramedics to begin treating severe blood loss at the scene of an emergency, when every minute can mean the difference between life and death.

Through the program, Pasadena Fire Department will carry low-titer O-positive whole blood on two Battalion Chief vehicles, stored in specialized temperature-monitored coolers and administered using a rapid infusion system.

“Severe bleeding remains one of the leading causes of preventable death following traumatic injury,” said Chad Augustin, Chief of Pasadena Fire Department. “By bringing blood directly to patients in the field, our firefighter paramedics can begin critical treatment sooner and improve outcomes for people experiencing life-threatening emergencies.”

The program is supported through a partnership with Huntington Health, which already maintains a blood supply agreement with the program’s regional blood provider, Houchin Community Blood Bank. In addition to trauma patients, the initiative will support patients experiencing severe hemorrhage, including women suffering from postpartum hemorrhage.

“When every minute counts, early blood transfusion can be lifesaving for patients experiencing profound blood loss,” said John M. Corman, MD, president and chief clinical officer, Huntington Health. “Expanding this capability into Pasadena extends our regional ability to deliver the right treatment at the right time, before patients even reach the emergency department.”

The Pasadena expansion builds on the success of LA-DROP, launched in 2025 as California’s first coordinated prehospital blood transfusion program. Since its inception, participating agencies have administered more than 70 prehospital blood transfusions, safely managed more than 350 units of blood, and achieved a blood discard rate of less than 1%.

A cornerstone of the program is responsible blood stewardship. If blood carried by the Pasadena Fire Department is not used within a time period, the units will be transferred to Huntington Health where they can immediately support critically ill patients, helping maximize the value of every donation while minimizing waste.

Patients retain the right to decline blood products consistent with their personal, religious, or medical preferences. Pasadena Fire Department and its healthcare partners follow established consent and emergency care protocols, including recognition of advanced directives and documented patient wishes.

To watch the press conference on YouTube, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PidpYWu468

For more information about the LA-DROP program, go to: https://fire.lacounty.gov/la-drop-pilot-program-launch/