Petaluma Fire Department Wants You!

The Petaluma Fire Department is asking Petaluma residents to stop by Wednesday, January 16 and donate some blood, part of the 7th annual Bucket Brigade Challenge.

The department is one of several fire agencies in the North Bay collecting donations for the Blood Centers of the Pacific, which is experiencing a shortage.

The Bucket Brigade concept originates from the Great London Fire in 1666, when townspeople created water bucket brigades. This contemporary Bucket Brigade brings a community together in the same way - not to fight fire, but to save lives through blood donation.

"The bucket brigade was designed to boost the blood supply in December and January when donations are traditionally low due to weather, holidays and the flu season," said Andrea Casson, a spokeswoman for Blood Centers of the Pacific.

The Petaluma Fire Department will be taking blood donations from 8am until 1pm Wednesday at the downtown fire station, located at 198 D St.

All donors must have a photo ID in order to donate. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are strongly encouraged.

To schedule your lifesaving appointment visit www.bloodheroes.com, click "donate blood."

Last year participating fire departments recruited nearly 1,000 blood donations, with Windsor Fire Protection District winning for most donations over the past three years. C'mon, Petaluma, isn't it time we change that?