News

Federal crash data show that in 2024, 66% of people killed in crashes in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area died either on their way to the hospital or at the hospital. Severe blood loss is the leading cause of preventable death in trauma cases like crashes. The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) has applied for a grant which aims to improve survival rates by helping boost post-crash care.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data show mortality in trauma patients drops by 37% if they receive pre-hospital blood transfusions from first responders.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency applied for a grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets for All program that would fund pre-hospital blood transfusions and other lifesaving work at crash scenes.

“This regional grant will fund equipment and training required for improved rapid extrication, vehicle stabilization, and pre-hospital blood transfusions on a limited, trial basis,” said Mike Helgerson, MAPA Executive Director.

“This comprehensive, capacity-building approach is meant to not only improve outcomes for individuals involved in crashes, but also to improve safety for first responders.”

This trial will include the Bennington, Waterloo, Gretna, and Council Bluffs Fire Departments, with each department trying out one or more improved post-crash care capabilities. Omaha and Bellevue have whole blood transfusion programs with their fire departments already.

In 2025, MAPA led the development of a Safe Streets for All Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CSAP) for Douglas and Sarpy counties and the Iowa cities of Council Bluffs, Carter Lake, Crescent, and McClelland.

This plan laid the foundation for safety improvement projects across the region, but did not specifically include EMS post-crash care activities.

Recommendations from this trial will be included in the CSAP and those strategies and activities would then become eligible for future Safe Streets for All implementation funding.