by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
Battle of the Badges is a friendly competition between the Riley County EMS, Manhattan Fire Department and Riley County Police Department.
Representatives of each group work to convince community members to vote for their respective department when they arrive to donate blood.
"It's super important for the community members to get out and get blood around the fact that we kind of like to give them units like this. So it's not uncommon for your average car accident victim to require upwards of 100 units of blood throughout the duration of their care. A single donation today will account for about three units. So it goes a long way." Riley County EMS, assistant director, Josh Gering says.
"Essentially it helps save lives and you know, this is something that's been going on for a long time. Here in Riley County. This is something that needs department takes very serious and we want to support it the best way we know how." Riley County Police Department, Patrol Division, Lt. Daryl Ascher says.
The departments like to have fun and use different tactics to try to convince donors to vote for their departments.
"Or if you vote fire. We have a bunch of wonderful prizes, and we'd like to keep the winning tradition alive of our name being on the trophy the most." Manhattan Fire Department, Captain Drew Taylor says.
"I think the fire department has some really cool keychains that's, that's, that's great. We'd be happy to hold the door for you. We have a homegrown organic EMS coupon book that we'd love to show to you. And if you come out here and make a donation. I think Drew and I can both agree that you probably you'll notice lacking, absent from the interview days as law enforcement. Your decision is made there are trade offs but also the real winners of the day are the people that receive these donations in hospitals across Kansas. So keep that in mind. It's a very meaningful donation goes a long way. And we're both just happy to be here." Gering says.
"Well, as you can see, we have a very important message here at the Riley County Police Department I haven't listed you don't want to vote for MFT you don't want to vote for EMS. You do want to vote for the Riley County Police Department." Ascher says.
There is still time to schedule your appointment to donate, Battle for the Badges blood drive ends Tuesday, July 19th at 1:00 pm.