DMFD Crew Meets First Traumatic Patient Saved By Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusion

Des Moines, Iowa - Tuesday, April 20, 2026 - On February 19, 2026, a security guard was stabbed at Polk County's Life Services Center. Minutes later, Des Moines Fire Department medics delivered a blood transfusion to the patient - a critical treatment that UnityPoint Health surgeons say saved his life.

"What we knew is someone was badly injured to the point that they needed to receive a pre-hospital blood transfusion," UnityPoint Health Trauma Surgeon Rick Sidwell said. "It became clear that it was that blood he received before arriving here that allowed him to survive in order to get to the trauma center at Methodist."

Last week, members of the crew from Des Moines Fire Station #4 who treated the security guard and delivered the blood transfusion had the opportunity to meet their patient who is now recovering after being discharged from the hospital.

"That full-circle moment doesn't happen very often," Fire Medic Coby Klocko said. "We got to meet him standing up, talking, and walking. This makes the job we did very rewarding."

Just three months earlier in November, 2025, leaders gathered to announce a pilot program to begin delivering pre-hospital blood transfusions to patients on the scene or enroute to hospitals in Des Moines and West Des Moines.

"We're doing something we weren't able to do before by giving lifesaving blood on the scene and giving them time to get to the hospital," Des Moines Fire Department Lieutenant Dan Davis said. "Our whole goal at DMFD is to improve patient care and improve our methods and training for our staff to deliver the best results for our residents."

The blood transfusion pilot program is a collaboration between the Des Moines Fire Department, West Des Moines EMS, MercyOne, UnityPoint Health, Lifeserve Blood Center, and Simulation in Motion-Iowa. The blood used in these procedures is provided by Lifeserve Blood Center.

"The blood that's being infused is only possible because of the generous donors who donate blood with our blood provider, Lifeserve Blood Center," Sidwell said. "This program proves how valuable blood donations and donors are as we expand the use of treatment to these first, critical moments."

Contact
Peter Zemansky
Communications Manager, City Manager's Office
(515) 210-6586
[email protected]

About the City of Des Moines
The City of Des Moines is Iowa's capital, and our 17 departments serve more than 214,000 residents and 46 neighborhood associations. Des Moines is a leader in sustainability and provides its residents with vibrant neighborhoods, an active downtown, and abundant leisure opportunities.

Des Moines continuously improves neighborhoods, public safety, and quality of life by offering exceptional city services and reliable infrastructure while fostering an involved and compassionate community for all who visit and live there. Visit DSM.city, Facebook, and X for more information.