Host a blood drive with the American Red Cross

Help save lives by hosting a blood drive in your fire or emergency service department.

Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) knows how important blood is to help save the lives of our family, friends, and co-workers, which is why we are partnering with the American Red Cross to encourage local fire and emergency service departments to host blood drives.

With your support, fellow NVFC members and supporters can work together for a lifesaving cause. As a member of the emergency services, you know first-hand how critical the need for a readily available blood supply is when crisis strikes. Your hosted blood drives will offer your crew an engaging experience with the Red Cross and will help supply patients in communities nationwide with a strong, robust blood supply. Act now – sign up to host your blood drive!

What a Host Does

Provides a suitable location. A large, open space is best, so we can create separate zones for conducting confidential eligibility assessments and collecting donations.
Publicizes the blood drive. The more people who know about your blood drive – both within your organization and in the community – the more donors you can sign up.
Organizes a recruitment committee to recruit donors. Face-to-face requests are the most effective form of recruitment. Don’t do this alone; build a team to help spread the word.
Schedules donors for appointments. Plus, you’ll do follow-ups during the drive to ensure donors don’t miss their appointments and reach out afterwards to say thank you.

A Win-Win Partnership

As a blood program leader, you will take leadership over the blood drive; work with the Red Cross, members of your organization, and the community; bring people together in a spirit of teamwork to make your event successful; and promote a cause that could help save millions of lives each year. You could also use the blood drive to assist in recruitment efforts by setting out materials to engage members of the community to volunteer with your department.

Everybody Wins

Patients are able to receive the lifesaving blood they urgently need.
Your organization builds goodwill and improves team spirit byworking together to help others.
You show leadership in bringing volunteers and donors together for a good cause.

NVFC