Editor's note: Find Firehouse.com's complete coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic here.
A California Fire Department is looking for a plasma donor to help a veteran firefighter battling COVID-19.
In a social media post earlier this week, the Torrance Fire Department sent a call out to any recovered coronavirus patients who could donate plasma to help an engineer in the department. The donation from a previously infected individual contains antibodies that could help others fighting the virus, according to the department.
“Time is of the essence for our affected member and really for those sitting in hospital beds in vulnerable situations,” Assistant Fire Chief Carl Besanceney told KCBS-TV.
So far, the department has received a large response from its outreach. Besanceney said they're would like to help others in a similar predicament and is working with the American Red Cross.
RELATED:
- COVID-19: Firefighters Turn to More PPE, Precautions During Outbreak
- COVID-19: First Responders Caught in the Pandemic
“We’re trying to get help for our Torrance Fire (Department) family, but more importantly, for the patients across the board,” he told KCBS. “We’re trying to streamline the process for doctors, nurses and medical facilities staff to be able to grab that information and do a match quicker.”
