First responders get ready for 'Battle of the Badges'

Local law enforcement personnel, firefighters and EMS personnel will do "battle" next month to benefit the American Red Cross.

The annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive is a friendly competition between local law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel to see who can donate the most blood. The drive is scheduled for 12:45 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Aug. 10, at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave.

Debbie Cox, donor recruitment representative for the American Red Cross Blood Services-Central Plains Region, said the event helps "bring more awareness to the public that we need blood every day, so they know how much it's needed."

Cox said the Red Cross hopes to collect 131 units of blood during the two-day drive. Donated blood goes where it is needed in the Central Plains Region, which covers most of Kansas and a small portion of northern Oklahoma. Blood is supplied to Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott.

"The blood goes to a lab for testing to make sure it is good and is then divided out as it is needed," Cox said.

At last year's Battle of the Badges event, 132 units of blood were collected.

"We get a little better turnout at Battle of the Badges, we get a few more people interested," Cox said. "The officers and badged people help us promote (the event)."

Fort Scott Fire Department Chief Paul Ballou said turnout at the Battle of the Badges has been dwindling, but there is an initiative this year by local first responders to help bring in more donations for the Red Cross.

"We've had some good participation as far as the different agencies -- law enforcement and fire," he said. "There's a big push to get involvement up ... We want to put extra effort into it this year to try to raise more money for the group and get blood supplies up."

There was a small turnout at last year's event, Ballou said.

"I think we can get a lot more," he said. "We support it. We talk all the time about helping blood drives. I think it's a group effort countywide."

Ballou said local firefighters usually donate blood when they are not on duty. He himself contributes when he gets the chance, but the last couple of years, something has interfered with his plans. Ballou said he intends to change that this year.

"I plan on getting back into it this year," he said.

Bourbon County Undersheriff Bill Martin said there are usually one or two officers from his department who participate in Battle of the Badges.

"I sometimes go down there myself," he said.

Battle of the Badges is not just for police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel; anyone can get involved by donating blood and voting for their favorite public safety department.

When the contest is over, the winner will get "bragging rights." But most importantly, hospital patients throughout Kansas are also winners because they will get the life-saving blood they need to survive, a news release said.

Last year, the Garland Rural Fire Department received the most votes for the second consecutive year. The FSFD came in second for the second straight year with 26 votes, and the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office rounded out the top three with 19 ballots.

Cox said donors should be in general good health, must weigh at least 110 pounds, and should wait 56 days between donations. Donors who are 16 years of age must have their parents' consent; there is no consent needed for those 17 and older. There is also no maximum age for donating.

While there is no local Red Cross office after it was shuttered last year as part of a nationwide reworking of its organization, Cox said there is still a local Red Cross presence.

Local volunteer efforts are coordinated through the chapter office in Coffeyville, which covers the Fort Scott area and Pittsburg. The number is (620) 251-1050.

To make an appointment to donate blood, call (800) 733-2767, or visit www.redcrossblood.org. All donors present will receive a free Battle of the Badges T-shirt.