JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Normally they work hand in hand, but beginning today, they’re competing against one another for the most blood donations.

The 5th Annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive pits the Jamestown Fire Department against the Jamestown Police Department in a competition to raise the most blood donations. Fire Chief Jim Reuther says the event is actually both departments working together to generate more blood donations.

According to Vitalant, formerly United Blood Services, 1 in 7 people who enter a hospital need a blood donations. They say donations are severely lacking, primarily from those under the age of 40. Weldon Roberts is a Donor Recruitment Representative for Vitalant.

He pointed out that they’d love to have younger volunteers donate blood as well.

Roberts says donations go on to help everyone from surgery to fighting cancer to giving birth. Vitalant reports that blood donations are used to save around 12,000 lives a day.

Chief Reuther says working in emergency services, they see first hand the need for blood in the region. He says once you donate, you choose to vote for either Team Fire or Team Law.

Chief Reuther says anyone who can or wants to donate can stop at the Jamestown Civic Center Exchequer Room to make a difference.

The goal for the event is at least 250 volunteers. Vitalant reports that there are more than 160 open spots still available for donors.

“There is always a need for blood and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Every 2 seconds, someone needs blood. Most of us will need blood in our lifetime,” Vitalant states.

Roberts says you only need to be healthy and have a form of identification to donate.

Operation times are today from 11:30 am to 6:00 pm, Friday from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm, and Saturday from 7:00 am to 11:30 am. You can also call 877-258-4825 to make an appointment.