The battleground has been set and lines have been drawn in the sand.

When it is all over, members of the Lansing Police Department or the Lansing Fire Department will stand victorious, while the others will hang their heads in shame.

The two departments have squared off in a blood drive for the Mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1800 E. Grand River Ave. in Lansing. The goal is to raise 1,000 units of blood in a nine-day period, which began Monday and ends July 7.

Joe DeFors, battalion chief for the Lansing Fire Department, said the police don’t have a chance.

“(The winner will be) fire departments in general and Lansing fire in particular,” he said.

Lansing police Lt. Ray Hall said any time the police can take on the fire department, they are going to do it.

“These guys have ice water in their veins, we fully anticipate beating them at this,” he said. “Sure these guys are good at saving kittens in trees, but can they buck up to the responsibility when it counts?”

With the fire department leading, Lansing’s finest will have to roll their sleeves up and get ready to give.

DeFors said the police-fire blood drive is new to Lansing but has been done successfully in other communities.

“It’s not new that the police and the fire department compete for good causes,” DeFors said. “Hopefully this will boost the immediate blood supply and perhaps raise the awareness to the community to the need for blood.”

Linda Baker, donor recruitment representative for the Mid-Michigan chapter, said there were not many blood drives scheduled for June or July.

“We approached the Lansing fire chief and the Lansing police chief back in December,” she said. “They graciously agreed to help us out.”

Baker said both departments not only agreed to donate even while on duty, but to also actively help recruit other donors.

“The challenge this last week of June, and first week of July, is to educate the public as to the critical need for blood donations,” she said.

Blood donations, Baker said, go down this time of year because people are busy with summer activities, but the need also goes up because of those same activities.

“They are helping us fill that gap,” she said.

For the Red Cross to meet its goal, Baker said 1,100 people will have to come in during the next two weeks and donate.

Lansing police Chief Mark Alley said this time of year and during the holiday season, the Red Cross needs donors.

“Consistently over the years the Red Cross has asked for assistance, and I am just happy we were approached to help them in this worthwhile cause because blood saves lives,” he said.

While Alley joked the police department will win the competition, he knows who will walk away the real champion.

“Seriously, the winner will be the Red Cross and the mid-Michigan community because they’ll have plenty of blood on hand for those in need,” he said.

For more information or to donate, call 484-7461.