KS Departments Celebrate Blood Drive Victories

From www.kansas.com:

By Miranda Davis

For the luncheon celebrating another successful “Battle of the Badges,” the decorations seemed particularly appropriate.

Caution tape, something all the first responders in the room were familiar with, served as the table runners Tuesday for the event celebrating the blood donation competition between the Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Service and area fire and law enforcement departments.

The Battle of the Badges is a yearly competition among the departments where anyone who donates blood can submit a vote for a department. The Wichita and Sedgwick County fire departments won this year by 44 votes.

The competition started as a way to increase blood donations in December and early January, a time of year when they are often needed but are in low supply, according to Michelle Jantz, executive director of the Red Cross in Wichita.

Read more HERE

Craig Nelson and Tailboard Talk crew on NFA

Tailboard Talk: The Importance of the National Fire Academy

Hosts Craig Nelson, Jeff Wallin, and Chris Rasmussen discuss the critical role of the National Fire Academy.

Fireworks Likely to Blame for an Explosion at CA Home That Critically Injured One

One person was critically injured and a home partially collapsed after an explosion rocked a Pacoima neighborhood Thursday morning, officials said.