(WJHL) — Local first responders are teaming up with the American Red Cross and WJHL-TV for a friendly competition at the 12th annual Battle of the Badges blood drive. The community is invited to be part of the challenge happening Tuesday, Sept. 4 through Tuesday, Sept. 11 at multiple locations across northeast Tennessee.

Battle of the Badges is a friendly competition that pits local first responders against each other to find out which department can donate more pints. Friends, family and community supporters are also urged to give blood and vote for their favorite agency. All presenting donors will get to cast a vote to help decide the winner. Besides bragging rights, the winning badge will be presented with the Battle of the Badges plaque to display at their department.

Donors are also encouraged to give blood in memory of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and to honor the first responders who served in the aftermath of 9/11.

“Eligible blood donors of all types, especially type O negative and O positive, are urgently needed to replenish the blood supply following a critical summer blood shortage,” said Tom Hensley, donor recruitment representative of the Red Cross. “Like the emergency room of a hospital, the Red Cross must be prepared to respond to patient blood needs 24/7.”

Presenting donors will receive a free Red Cross T-shirt and a coupon via email for a free haircut, courtesy of Sport Clips Haircuts.

To make an appointment for Battle of the Badges, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Battle of the Badges blood drives are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, Sept. 4

Jonesborough Visitors Center 1 to 5:30 p.m. 117 Boone St., Jonesborough, TN 37659

Johnson City American Red Cross Blood Donation Center

2:30 to 7 p.m.

818 Sunset Drive, Suite #100, Johnson City, TN 37604

Wednesday, Sept. 5

Johnson City American Red Cross Blood Donation Center

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

818 Sunset Drive, Suite #100, Johnson City, TN 37604

Thursday, Sept. 6

Johnson City Municipal Building Noon to 4:30 p.m.

601 E. Main Street, Johnson City, TN 37601

Friday, Sept. 7

Food City

3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

920 N. State of Franklin Road, Johnson City, TN 37604

Saturday, Sept. 8

First Christian Church

Noon to 5 p.m.

312 South Main Avenue, Erwin, TN 37650

Monday, Sept. 10

Oak Street Baptist

1:30 to 6 p.m. 804 Oak Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643

Tuesday, Sept. 11

Johnson County EMS Rescue

1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

203 Vandilla Street, Mountain City, TN 37683

Johnson City American Red Cross Blood Donation Center

2:30 to 7 p.m.

818 Sunset Drive, Suite #100, Johnson City, TN 37604

How to donate blood Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.