Kenosha approves contract with Freighter South for blood-on-rigs program; city to add fee change later

The Kenosha City Council approved a services agreement with Freighter South Inc. to supply and rotate blood in advanced life-support (ALS) med units, allowing emergency responders to carry packed red blood cells on rigs.

The presenter said the 2025 operating budget authorized refrigeration units in all med units to carry blood. The services agreement with Freighter South covers supply and rotation so blood is used before expiry; the presenter said the cost of the blood under the current agreement is $252 and that the amount will be billed as part of the ALS charge until the council considers a fee-structure change.

“Right now, the plan is that we change out the blood every Monday,” the Fire Chief said, describing logistics and billing: “If we don't utilize it during that week, all of our med units will stop getting new units, and that's how we'll ... only be charged when we actually utilize the blood.” The chief also said the rollout is a three-phase program of training, equipment acquisition and implementation; staff reported training occurred in January with additional training in February and a target March 31 go-live date.

Council members asked how many units each rig would carry and the blood type; the chief said each rig will carry two units of O-positive packed red blood cells and that the units can be administered to any patient as clinically appropriate.

The council moved and approved the agreement on a voice vote. The roll-call for the Item 3 motion was recorded as aye by Alderperson DeGarek; Alderperson Harper; Alderperson Dyson; Alderperson Kangas; Vice Chairperson Wilson; and Chairperson Wilson.