In late January on a Crash Scene Sergeant Matthew Ellis asked Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Bealer if the Fire Company would be interested in a Battle of the Badges Blood Drive to be held on March 7th. FC Bealer immediately said we are in and plans moved on from there. SGT Ellis was leading the event with The American Red Cross and the location was moved to Friendship Hook & Ladder Social Hall after Bealer spoke to Board Members there and they granted us use of the Social Hall for the day to help give back to the Community. FC Bealer spoke to SGT Ellis about bringing EMS into the Battle and all agreed so FC Bealer contacted Chief Jim Boyer of Boyertown Ambulance and they joined the Battle.
On Tuesday March 7, 2023 at 0730 hours the Red Cross van arrived at the Friendship Hook & Ladder Social Hall and FC Bealer helped with getting the room set up and the day began as Red Cross Employees and Volunteers arrived to get the Battle started. The Blood Drive continued until 1900 hours and the final tally put FIRE, Boyertown Area Fire & Rescue at 20 donors, POLICE, Eastern Berks Regional Police at 14 Donors and EMS, Boyertown Ambulance at 14 Donors. The numbers would tell you that BAF&R won the Battle of the Badges but the ultimate winners are those people who desperately need Blood.
Thanks to all that attended and donated to help our community.
We are currently working with all involved to hopefully, make this a quarterly event.
