Initiative first of its kind in Georgia
An agreement to share blood transfusions with Pickens and Fannin counties will help Gilmer Fire and Rescue (GFR) to save more lives.
“It seems like a great idea, and it is a great idea,” Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division Fire Chief Paul Beamon said.
GFR’s new blood program’s inter-county cooperation is the first of its kind in Georgia.
It’s needed because of complex conditions rural counties have present particular logistical difficulties.
In northern Georgia, many counties have small populations.
This fact can complicate keeping a big enough blood supply to provide emergency transfusions.
“If Gilmer was to do it all by ourselves, and Pickens and Fannin did it all by themselves, then we’d be basically isolated,” Beamon said.
But a solution can be found in cooperation.
Between them, Pickens, Fannin and Gilmer have a combined population of about 95,000 people. In this larger population, there will be more donated blood on hand for emergencies.
To create it, Beamon had to complete an application with Georgia’s Office of EMS and Trauma including treatment protocols, objectives and procedures.
“We had such great collaboration in partnerships with Fannin and Pickens. We all get along very well,” he said.
The blood for the program will be kept in Gilmer County.
In emergencies, ambulances from Gilmer, Pickens and Fannin will be able to intercept each other when they are in need of blood.
“Our battalion chief’s vehicle would deliver it to them,” Beamon said.
All the counties will do blood drives to keep GFR supplied.
After one year, Pickens and Fannin may initiate their own blood programs.
“One in 800 calls, patients truly need the blood,” he said.
Currently, GFR has no plans to expand the program to the adjacent Gordon, Murray and Dawson counties.
The program’s new capabilities will save lives and have a “powerful impact on our communities.”
No matter how you do it, saving a life feels “amazing” Beamon said.