40 pints of blood were collected and Emporia Fire, for the second straight year, took home the traveling trophy on the final day of the 2025 Battle of the Badges Blood Drive.
Emporia Fire Marshall Stephen Beemer was very pleased with the result.
All joking aside, Beemer says the true joy is in knowing they are helping to save lives.
Emporia Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage says there may be some playful ribbing with their fellow agencies in the near future, but he and his fellow firefighters truly enjoy the time they get to spend with their fellow first responders.
American Red Cross Spokesperson Susan Faler expressed her pride in all of the agencies involved.
Over the course of the three-day event, more than 500 individuals donated to bring in a total of 174 pints of usable blood. The total was slightly below the drive’s goal; however, Faler says every drop donated will help make a difference in someone’s life.
As always, the traveling trophy’s destination was decided by the votes of drive donors, with EFD receiving 67 votes. Local law enforcement – The Emporia Police Department and Lyon County Sheriff’s Office – finished second with 48 votes and Emergency Communications finished in third.
You can view a YouTube short of Friday’s trophy presentation by clicking here.
