BloodCenter of WI sending O-negative blood to Boston

WAUWATOSA (WITI) -- As hospitals in Boston were inundated Monday, April 15th with Boston Marathon explosion victims -- Froedtert Hospital officials said they, too are prepared to handle the type of situation that occurred in Boston.

Froedtert Hospital is a Level One Trauma Center and is prepared to handle the types of trauma that were experienced by many of the victims of the explosions at the Boston Marathon.

Dr. John Weigelt, Trauma Medical Director at Froedtert Hospital says the injuries suffered at the Boston Marathon are more like the kind you'd see in a war zone -- called blast injuries by surgeons.

They are a complex type of trauma -- far from the typical car crash or gunshot injuries in most ER's -- providing challenges for Boston doctors.

"It's almost like a blunt and penetrating it -- like both a car crash and a gunshot. That's kinda what you see," Dr. Weigelt said.

Meanwhile, the BloodCenter of Wisconsin has confirmed it has been asked to sent O-negative blood to Boston.

A BloodCenter of Wisconsin spokeswoman says the blood will be going to three Boston hospitals that are treating injured persons from the explosions along the Boston Marathon race course.

A spokeswoman said the BloodCenter of Wisconsin has contributed to areas that have experienced natural disasters and were prepared to send blood to New York on September 11th, 2001 during the terrorist attacks.

Brian Dorow is the Dean of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security at Waukesha County Technical College. He helps first responders like those in Boston hone their skills for situations like the explosions at the Boston Marathon.

"We've written curriculum. We've really reached out to our first responders. (The Boston explosions) are actually pretty horrible to see," Dorow said.

Dorow says lessons from other coordinated attacks on U.S. soil have altered how police and firefighters approach their jobs in this kind of chaos.

"They're going to arrive ultimately trying to assist the victims. That's always our first concern," Dorow said.