MOSES LAKE — First responders will be pitted against each other July 9 for the Battle of the Badges blood drive.

“There’s a big rally for all blood types to come out and donate to ensure that we have a strong blood supply this summer,” said Amber Short, community partnership development account manager with Vitalant, a nonprofit that provides blood to those who need it across the U.S.

This is the third year the Battle of the Badges has taken place in Moses Lake, Short said. Last year, the Moses Lake Fire Department took the trophy back to the fire station; the Moses Lake Police Department had claimed it the year before.

The officers and firefighters don’t bear the burden of supplying all the blood, however. Civilian participants sign up for the drive and indicate which agency they’re donating for, Short explained. Last year there were about 14 donors, she wrote in an email: four for MLPD, four for EMS and six for the MLFD.

In addition to Battle of the Badges bragging rights, donors who give blood between July 9 and Aug. 8 will be entered in a drawing to win a car worth up to $30,000, according to an announcement from Vitalant.

Moses Lake has only hosted a Battle of the Badges for three years, Short said, but in other communities it’s grown to a major event.

“There’s one in Montana that’s ginormous,” she said. “It’s like a three-day event and they collect, I think, over 150 units. They’ve been doing it for about 15 years.”

Summer is an important time to give blood, Short said, because school isn’t in session, and student blood drives are on hold until the fall. Moreover, she said, many people are traveling or on vacation during the season. The need for blood doesn’t decrease, however, she said.

“There’s (more) travel, so increased traffic accidents,” she said. "Also, there’s a need for blood for routine surgeries and cancer patients. They don’t take a summer break.”

Battle of the Badges

11:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. 

Moses Lake Fire Department

701 E. Third Ave.

Info and registration: www.vitalant.org