First Responders compete in Battle of the Badges blood drive for 4th year

HASTINGS, Neb. (KLKN) – The Hastings Fire and Police Departments are gearing up for their annual blood drive, Battle of the Badges.

The competition also included departments in Grand Island and Kearney.

The Tri Cities will be battling for most donations collected within their respective communities.

Assistant Fire Chief Troy Vanderstrasse says the “friendly” competition has brought the departments closer together.

“We even created, like, a championship wrestling belt that goes between the departments,” he said. “We had that made up, so it’s a fun competition.”

Hastings Police Department’s Captain of Operations, Raelee Van Winkle, says they even tied for most donations the previous year.

“The first two years, we won the event, we had the most donations of blood,” Van Winkle said. “Last year, we tied with the fire department.”

The department with the most donations wins, but Vanderstrasse says the event is about the community.

“It’s been a good, fun, friendly competition over the last three years for us,” he said.

Both departments make it clear that everyone is a winner when you donate.

“The blood doesn’t just stay within our community, but it helps people out nationwide, which is pretty awesome,” Van Winkle said.

“The community of Hastings has done an excellent job in supporting Red Cross blood drives in Battle and Badges,” Vorderstrasse said.

Both departments hope to continue the event for many years to come and have the event return to Lincoln in the future.