The Fargo Fire Department was declared the winner of the first-ever "Battle of the Badges" blood drive in support of the local United Blood Services.
The Fargo fire and police departments competed to see which agency could encourage the most people to donate blood during a four-day contest last week.
During a news conference Monday, United Blood Service officials crowned the Fire Department champion.
Rhonda Ellefson, donor recruitment coordinator from United Blood Services, said the event drew 740 people to give blood. Blood Service officials interviewed 685 of those people and 497 were able to donate.
Ellefson said 636 "products" were taken from the donors, possible because some donors can give two units of blood.
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The drive brought in 289 first-time donors, Ellefson said, adding that it was a "phenomenal" response to the competition.
Ellefson said the Fire Department beat the police 384 donors to 359.
