Jacksonville Battle Of The Badges by Jessica Payne

Jacksonville first responders (from left) Firefighter Dan Parsons, Lieutenant Travis Ford, EMS Coordinator Alicia Whetsell, Firefighter Scott Rhodes and Firefighter Nathan Palmer were on hand at the Battle of the Badges blood drive on Friday. The inaugural event took place at Whataburger in Jacksonville. Whataburger, who sponsored the event, gifted donors a free t-shirt and burger. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Jacksonville first responders smile for a photo with Carter Bloodcare employees at the Battle of the Badges blood drive on Friday. The Jacksonville Police Department squared off against the Jacksonville Fire Department in a friendly competition to see who could recruit the most blood donors. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Whataburger Marketing Director Shelly Lipe donates blood at the Jacksonville Battle of the Badges blood drive on Friday. The event, sponsored by Whataburger, pitted the Jacksonville Police Department against the Jacksonville Fire Department in a friendly competition to see who could recruit the most blood donors. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Pennie Hooker donates blood at Jacksonville’s inaugural Battle of the Badges blood drive on Friday. The Jacksonville Police Department and Jacksonville Fire Department were at the drives to recruit blood donors and donate themselves. Donors were asked to vote for one department or the other after their blood donation. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Mark Lipe donates blood at Jacksonville’s inaugural Battle of the Badges blood drive on Friday. The Jacksonville Police Department squared off against the Jacksonville Fire Department in a friendly competition to see who could recruit the most blood donors. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Two Carter BloodCare buses were stationed at the Whataburger in Jacksonville for the city’s inaugural Battle of the Badges blood drive. The event, sponsored by Whataburger, pitted the Jacksonville Police Department against the Jacksonville Fire Department in a friendly competition to see who could recruit the most blood donors. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Richard Felt, who cast his vote for the Fire Department, holds up his Battle of the Badges t-shirt after giving blood on Friday. In response to an urgent appeal by Carter BloodCare regarding a dangerously low blood supply leading into Thanksgiving, Jacksonville first responders squared off in an inaugural Battle of the Badges blood drive. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Morning Telegraph)