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Fort Lauderdale approves Broward Health partnership to bring whole blood to first responders
Summary
The commission approved an MOU with Broward Health to place whole blood on Fort Lauderdale emergency units at no cost to taxpayers; speakers, including a family whose son survived a traumatic crash after receiving prehospital whole‑blood transfusion, urged adoption to improve survivability.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission voted on Dec. 16 to approve a memorandum of understanding with Broward Health that will allow the city’s emergency responders to carry and administer whole blood in the prehospital setting.
Fire department leadership and a Broward Health representative described the program as an evidence‑based advance in trauma care that can significantly increase survivability for bleeding patients. The fire chief characterized the partnership as creating an “additional trauma bay” in the field, and said the program will be provided at no cost to taxpayers through Broward Health.
Members of the Livingston family recounted a March incident in which their son, Steven, arrived at Broward Health following a severe crash and was transfused whole blood during transport. Andrew Livingston told commissioners that paramedics’ actions and the prehospital transfusion were decisive in saving his son’s life. Another survivor who testified identified specific first responders and said whole blood on scene gave patients a higher chance of survival.
Commissioners moved the MOU and approved the item by roll call. City staff said the program will place whole blood on three units within the city and allow the city to administer blood itself rather than relying solely on the Broward Sheriff’s Office for field supply.
Next steps: staff will coordinate implementation details with Broward Health, including training, storage, handling and protocols; commissioners noted the life‑saving potential and thanked first responders for their work.
