The Los Angeles County Fire Department is partnering with more than 200 Southern California fire departments, law enforcement and other public safety agencies to see which organization can donate the most blood in the 9th Annual Red Cross Battle of the Badges Blood Drive.
“Here in Southern California, more than 160 local hospitals depend on the Red Cross for blood donations to assist trauma victims and hospital patients,” says Fire Chief Daryl Osby. “Yet less than 3 percent of the population donates blood, leading to continual shortages of all blood types.”
As part of the blood drive, which is open to the public, the Red Cross Bloodmobile will visit the Department’s East County Training Center in Pomona from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. All are invited to attend the free event, which will also feature the Shakey Quakey earthquake simulator, fire engines on display, and hot dogs and other refreshments.
Personnel will be on hand to teach the public Hands Only CPR and demonstrate how to download the PulsePoint app. The app alerts registered users who are trained in CPR when a sudden cardiac occurs in a nearby public place.
Members of the public will be able to meet with the Department’s Recruitment Unit and learn about career opportunities with the Department.
Those interested in donating blood should contact the Public Information Office at 313-881-2411 or info@fire.lacounty.gov. Appointments can be made online by visiting redcrossblood.org and using sponsor code BADGESOCAL. Donors will receive a commemorative T-shirt.
The East County Training Center is located at 3325 Temple Ave. in Pomona.
Top photo: Inspector Randall Wright gives blood at a Battle of the Badges event.
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