“When seconds count, early blood transfusion can mean the difference between life and death,” said Dr. Mac McKemie, Atrium Health Floyd trauma director and surgeon. “By bringing this capability into the field, Atrium Health Floyd EMS is setting a new standard for trauma care in our region.”

Leaders say the program is designed to deliver critical interventions faster, particularly in rural and regional settings where transport times can be longer. Atrium Health Floyd EMS plans to extend the capability to Chattooga County in early 2026, bringing advanced pre-hospital trauma care closer to home for residents across the county.

“This program is a game-changer for pre-hospital care,” said Greg Goedert, Atrium Health Floyd EMS education manager. “By carrying blood products on our ambulances, we can begin life-saving interventions immediately, rather than waiting until the patient arrives at the hospital.”

Because Atrium Health Floyd EMS is hospital-based, any unused blood products can be returned to inventory, helping reduce waste and ensuring limited supplies remain available for patients who need them most.

Atrium Health Floyd is also highlighted as the region’s only Level II Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons, serving critically injured patients across Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama. The EMS team is additionally noted as the state’s only four-time recipient of the Georgia EMS of the Year Award—credentials officials say underscore the impact of expanding advanced trauma care into the field.