DICKINSON — The Dickinson Police Department and Dickinson Fire Department will face off once again during the annual Battle of the Badges blood drive , encouraging community members to donate blood while supporting their favorite team. The event comes as Vitalant reports a critical need for all blood types, with donations needed to help replenish the blood supply. Blood donations support patients undergoing cancer treatments and surgeries, as well as those experiencing trauma and other medical emergencies. Type O negative can be transfused to most patients and is frequently used during emergencies when there is not enough time to determine a patient’s blood type. Type O positive is the most commonly transfused blood type and is also important for maintaining hospital inventories.