LFR Wins the Battle of the Badges

By: David Jespersen - Email

Updated: Fri 9:23 AM, Jun 22, 2012

Firefighters and police officers are usually on the same side, working together to keep us safe. But they go head to head once a year during the Battle of the Badges.

Thursday was the big finale culminating in a rib eating contest between officers, firefighters and blood bank workers.

For one week both departments worked to bring out donors to increase the blood supply for the Nebraska community blood bank.

People chose to donate on behalf of their favorite department. It's a friendly competition and the blood bank is the big winner. The need for blood is high in June and July because more people are traveling which leads to more accidents. Regular donors are also on vacation and miss their usual donations. The blood bank says the competition really helps bolster the blood supplies.

The blood bank's team won the rib eating contest. Lincoln Fire and Rescue won the Battle of the Badges bringing in the most donors. LPD had won the previous 4 years and are up 8-6 since the competition began.