Bucket Brigade returns Jan. 18
Roll up those sleeves and prepare to get poked for a good cause, because Blood Centers of the Pacific and fire departments across Northern California are partnering for the ninth annual Bucket Brigade Fire Department Blood Drive Challenge. The contest runs from Dec. 1 to Jan. 30, and the Windsor Fire Protection District will hold their blood drive on Sunday, Jan. 18 at Fire Station 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fire departments that join in the winter challenge enlist community members, neighbors, co-workers, friends and family to give blood in an effort to raise the local blood supply, earn the coveted title for their department and carry the Bucket Trophy for the year. The winner is the fire department that brings in the most donations for the Blood Centers of the Pacific.
“It’s a lifesaving endeavor. Without donated blood, there are people who would not be alive today,” said Windsor Fire Protection District Fire Chief Doug Williams.
Dean Crothers, a captain for the Windsor Fire Protection District, has helped to organize the event for years. He said that Windsor Fire has been touched personally by the importance of donating blood. There was one retired firefighter recently, and one in the distant past who needed donated blood.
“They were retired firefighters, but they were family. We recognize how important it (donating blood) is,” Crothers said.
According to Blood Centers of the Pacific data, the majority of the population is eligible to donate blood, but less than four percent donates in a given year.
“There is no other way to get blood; it has to be donated,” Crothers said. “It’s critical for saving lives and critical every day because it has a shelf life.”
All donors must have a photo ID in order to donate. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. To schedule an appointment, visit www.bloodheroes.com, click “Donate Blood” and enter sponsor code: WFPD.
In last year’s challenge, fire departments recruited almost 1,000 people, who gave 800 units of blood. The Geyserville Fire Protection District ultimately took the trophy home, with the Windsor Fire Protection District coming in at a close second.
“A lot of people look at it as if they’re supporting the blood bank; they have to look at it as not just supporting the blood bank, but supporting everybody in the community who needs blood,” Crothers said.
The Bucket Brigade is a tradition created by Blood Bank of the Redwoods, and Windsor Fire has participated in the challenge since its inception.
The idea of the Bucket Brigade came from the Great London Fire of 1666 that caused community members to form “brigades” and pass buckets of water from the city’s water supply to the flames that engulfed their city. The modern day Bucket Brigade brings the community together to save lives through blood donations, rather than fighting flames.
The Bucket Brigade has a huge impact in the winter months when donations are traditionally low as a result of the busy holiday season and the impact of flu season.
“During the holiday season our blood supply drops as our high school and college sponsors go on winter break. However, our local hospitals still need blood, as accidents increase this time of year, and illness never takes a holiday. This season give your community the gift of a blood donation. The Bucket Brigade blood drives are a great place to donate within your community,” said Kim Walsh, account representative at Blood Centers of the Pacific.
At the blood drive, donors will receive an event t-shirt, a “mini physical” to make sure that donating blood is safe for the donor and “hero reward points,” which can be redeemed for items like movie tickets and ice cream. Food, cooked by the firefighters, will be available throughout the day.
It varies, but the whole process is expected to take around an hour or less. Staying very hydrated prior to donating is recommended.
Donors must be 16 years and older, and 16 year olds need parental permission. Donors must weight at least 110 pounds (There are different requirements for those aged 16 to 22, please call 1-888-393-GIVE for more information.)
The Windsor Fire Protection District will hold their blood drive on Sunday, Jan. 18 at Fire Station 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fire Station 2 is located at 8600 Windsor Road. If you are elsewhere in Sonoma County in January, and you’d like to find a drive near you and make an appointment, visit www.bloodheroes.com and click “Donate Blood” or call 888-393-GIVE (4483).
Blood Centers of the Pacific (which took over Blood Bank of the Redwoods) supports 50 hospitals in Northern California, including all hospitals in Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties.
