Bradley County Fire Rescue and Cleveland State Community College Emergency Medical Technician Program are having a blood drive Tuesday at Bradley County Fire Rescue Headquarters at 260 Inman St., from noon to 5 p.m. In the photo are CSCC EMT Program Director DeVette Carter, BCFR firefighter Ronnie Goss and EMT student Stacie Roderick.
When the temperature outside begins to rise, that’s the first indication of entering trauma season. Trauma season typically runs from April through September, but with the unseasonably warm weather, an increase in traumatic injuries have already been seen in the area.
People are getting more active outdoors, and with roads and interstates becoming more congested emergency personnel are experiencing an increase in motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, all-terrain vehicle accidents and other recreational activities this time of year.
Local hospitals have already begun to see an increase in traumatic injuries this year. SkyRidge Medical Center Emergency Department will treat twice as many traumatic injuries during the months of April through September than the rest of the year, according to Dr. Jeffery Miller. The vast majority of these injuries are preventable, experts say.
With the increase in trauma-related injuries the blood supply in the region can become critically low.
Tim Wilson with Blood Assurance said 400 units of blood a day are needed, but the blood bank is currently 600 units low, having less than a two-day supply on hand.
