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Battle of the Badges set for June 4
Bragging rights — and more importantly, lifesaving blood donations — are on the line as Hastings’ first responders once again square off in a friendly community competition.
Hastings Fire and Rescue and Hastings Police Department will battle for the title in the eighth-annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
While the rivalry is all in good fun, the need for blood donations is serious. Every donation collected helps the American Red Cross provide lifesaving blood to patients in need.
The Hastings Police Department narrowly won the 2025 Hastings competition by a score of 63 units to 56 units, and Hastings Fire and Rescue is looking for redemption this year.
Community members can join the competition by donating blood from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, at the Hastings City Auditorium, 400 N. Hastings Ave.
Donors can sign up using the Red Cross Blood Donor app or by visiting the Red Cross Donation Scheduler at www.redcrossblood.org and searching ZIP code 68901 for the Battle of the Badges event.
At the time of donation, participants can choose to support either Team Fire or Team Police. Donations will be tallied at the end of the day to determine which department earns local bragging rights for the next year.
Once the Hastings donations are counted, they will also be compared with Battle of the Badges competitions across the Tri-Cities to determine an overall regional winner.
Whether you back the badge or the bunker gear, everyone wins when the community rolls up its sleeves to donate blood.
Published Date: 05/28/2026