Fayette County Fire Department Wins State Award

Fayette County Fire and Emergency Services paramedics can now administer blood and blood products to trauma patients in the field, a capability that earned the department a 2026 Georgia County Excellence Award.

The Association of County Commissioners of Georgia announced the award May 1 at its annual conference in Savannah. Fayette County was one of six recipients honored for innovative programs that meet citizen needs cost-effectively.

Fire Chief Jeffrey Hill said the Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusion Program saves lives by treating severe hemorrhage and traumatic shock during transport to the trauma center. Delays in treating severe bleeding increase death risk, but balanced blood products delivered in the field stabilize patients sooner and improve survival rates before hospital arrival.

"This is the gold standard for trauma resuscitation and medical bleeding emergencies in the pre-hospital environment," Hill said.

Georgia Trend magazine will feature the program in its June issue.