(COLORADO SPRINGS) — If you donate blood, it might not be given to someone in a hospital setting. The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) is the first in Colorado to give people blood in the field, and it's already saving lives. The initiative began in May 2024 and is made possible by funding from UC Health. "There's at least three to four people that are alive today, that previously we would not have been able to save. They just would have bled out on scene, and probably not made it to the hospital," said Carrick Patterson, a Battalion Chief with CSFD. The new program has given blood to over 25 people in the area. "It's a fantastic initiative, and we're looking for support to continue it," said Patterson. On Monday, Sept. 30, the fire department hosted a blood drive to keep the lifesaving tool readily available. Vitalant Blood Donation partnered with the department for the pilot program. They're excited to keep bringing in donations and help CSFD lead the way for other fire departments across the country. "To hear those success stories already happening, patients being saved by these units that were available for them when they needed it most, that's just amazing," said Brooke Way, with Vitalant Blood Donation, "We need those units constantly to be able to provide them at an emergency notice." Vitalant said they need 600 units of blood every day to help hospitals in the state of Colorado. They also report that the type O blood supply at their blood bank has dropped to an 18-month low. Donations can be given at one of Vitalant's many locations. In the future, the fire department hopes to have more blood drives.