It’s the most coveted trophy in all of Kingfisher County blood drive challenges.

And - for now, at least it resides at the Kingfisher Fire Department.

The eighth annual Guns & Hoses Challenge will be hosted this week by the Oklahoma Blood Institute.

This year’s drive will be from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Kingfisher Elks Lodge.

Donors are encouraged to sign up to give blood under the banners of either the Kingfisher Fire Department or Kingfisher Police Department.

The fire department won last year’s challenge as it had 38 donations made in its name, one more than the police department.

With that came ownership of the traveling trophy.

Prior to that, the KPD had won the challenge three straight years.

“We kind of got tired of looking at it,” said Police Chief David Catron. “It had a lot of dust on it, so we decided to let them have it for a year.”

The fire department won the trophy in its first three years.

“I put a label on the bottom of this that said ‘Property of Kingfisher Fire Department’ and they never even knew it,’” said Fire Chief Tony Stewart.

The ribbing continued. Catron shared a photo of a Kingfisher Police officer helping put out a local fire.

Stewart countered with: “Do you know why God made firemen? So policemen could have heroes. I just told that one before he did.”

Both agreed on the importance of the blood drive, saying its needed to save local lives, such as those that firefighters and law enforcement officers rescue.

“It really is for a good cause,” Catron said and encouraged donors to go to obi.org and register ahead of time.

“That will save them a lot of time waiting in line.”

Winter storms earlier this winter caused the cancellation of 85 blood drives in Oklahoma, which meant some 2,000 units of blood that didn’t get donated.

That caused the OBI to issue an alert of critically low blood supply.

While the supply levels have improved, Kaycie Craig said the need for donors is still strong.

“We’re still in recovery mode,” said Craig, the director of donor recruitment who also lives in Kingfisher.

“When we put out that immediate need, people responded in droves, which is great. We’re back to being close to where we need to be, but the need for blood is still crucial.”

Craig said the hope is that everyone who is healthy and able to donate will do so to help better supply OBI ahead of the next weather event.

OBI is also seeking new donors.

OBI often relies on its blood drives that are held at high schools and colleges to recruit the younger generation of donors.

Many of those drives took a long hiatus due to COVID-19.

“Now that we’re on the back side of that, we’re seeing the impact of that with fewer younger and newer donors,” Craig said.

She requested donors to, essentially, bring a friend.

“If you’re a blood donor, ask someone who isn’t to maybe come alongside and donate,” she said. “That way, we aren’t wearing out those donors who have been so faithful and loyal.”

Those who donate at Guns & Hoses will not only receive donor rewards points from OBI, but also free health screenings.