Gilmer County launches regional blood program to speed trauma care in North Georgia

Ellijay, Ga. (April 13, 2026) — Gilmer County Fire and Rescue on Saturday, April 11, launched a regional prehospital blood administration program aimed at saving lives by delivering transfusions to trauma patients before they reach the hospital.

The program places life‑saving blood products on select ambulances and allows specially trained paramedics to administer them in the field — a critical step in treating severe blood loss, the leading cause of preventable death in trauma.

Funding was achieved through grants from the Georgia Trauma Foundation, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital and the Gilmer County Commissioners. The initiative will serve not only Gilmer County, but also neighboring Fannin and Pickens counties.

“Trauma doesn’t wait for someone to reach an emergency room,” said Nick Zelinsky, director of emergency services at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. “In severe trauma cases involving major blood loss, the first few minutes can mean the difference between life and death. This program helps ensure critical care begins the moment help arrives.”

While some emergency agencies in Georgia carry blood products, Gilmer County Fire & Rescue is the first in the state to implement a regional prehospital blood program supporting multiple counties.

Gilmer County Fire/Rescue Division Chief Paul Beamon said the program allows paramedics to begin hospital‑level care at the scene.

“When someone is critically injured, minutes matter,” Beamon said. “Administering blood immediately can significantly improve a patient’s chance of survival.”

Piedmont Healthcare is one of the program’s financial supporters, reflecting what hospital leaders say is a growing focus on strengthening trauma care across North Georgia.

“At Piedmont Mountainside, our mission is to make a positive difference in every life we touch — not only inside the hospital, but throughout the communities we serve,” said Donna Reece, director of physician and community relations at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. “This program strengthens the entire trauma system and ensures patients in rural North Georgia have faster access to lifesaving care when it matters most.”

Reece also praised Gilmer County Fire & Rescue for leading an effort that benefits the broader region.

“They’ve shown extraordinary leadership in creating a resource that supports neighboring communities,” she said. “This kind of collaboration is how health care moves forward.”

The program includes extensive paramedic training and strict protocols for storing, transporting and administering blood in the field. EMS teams and hospital physicians worked together to align procedures and speed transitions of care once patients arrive at emergency departments.

“When prehospital teams and hospital teams are aligned, patients receive faster, more effective care — and outcomes improve,” Reece said.

The launch event included demonstrations of specialized blood‑storage equipment and an on‑site blood drive hosted by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers.