Firefighters Regain Top Spot in Battle of the Badges 2007

AREA FIREFIGHTERS regained the top spot in the annual Battle of the Badges competition to recruit blood donors in Kent County, which took place May 14 through May 18 this year. 

Throughout the good-natured contest, public safety personnel competed to see whether police officers or firefighters could recruit the most blood donors. Most of the competitors were from the Grand Rapids Police and Fire Departments.

Grand Rapids Firefighter Kristy Kehl (right) was willing to stand on a chair to momentarily top Grand Rapids Police Chief Harry Dolan, representing area firefighters’ achievement in topping police to become the victors of the 2007 Battle of the Badges. Firefighters recruited 233 blood donors while police recruited 190 donors during the week-long competition May 14-18 this year.

Having won the competition in 2004 and 2005, the firefighters last year let the championship title slip away. But they came back strong this year by recruiting 233 blood donors, a number that topped by more than 40 the police departments’ recruitment total of 190 donors.

Traditionally, the Battle loser is obligated to do something that represents a unique gesture of respect to the winner. This coming fall, Grand Rapids Police Chief Harry Dolan will deliver the “salute” at the Catholic Central High School / West Catholic High School football game, when he will run across the football field wearing West Catholic’s team colors (Chief Dolan’s son plays on the Catholic Central football team).

“Chief Dolan isn’t too happy about wearing green [West Catholic’s color] since it will be his son’s senior year [at Catholic Central],” says Kristen Sisson, in charge of special events for Michigan Community Blood Centers in Grand Rapids. “But as always, he is a good sport and a really devoted supporter of our ‘Battle’.”

Thanks to all public safety departments and personnel, and thanks to police and fire chiefs, for their lifesaving participation in the 2007 Battle of the Badges.

© Michigan Community Blood Centers