They regularly see blood spilt in their jobs and now four local police commands have started a friendly challenge to ensure the blood banks are topped up this winter.
Four NSW Police commanders - from the Mountains, Hawkesbury, Penrith and St Marys - are going head to head to see which one of their commands can donate the most blood, as part of the Australian Red Cross Emergency Services Blood Challenge.
The state-wide challenge started last month and finishes on August 15. Local police, firefighters, paramedics and emergency response workers and volunteers will be able to donate to see who is the most generous emergency services.
Supt Darryl Jobson, Blue Mountains area commander said he welcomed the friendly rivalry.
"The competition with the other commands has provided a strong incentive to make blood donations. We know that the friendly rivalry will pay dividends in the form of many blood donations. It is a great opportunity to contribute to such a worthy cause."
St Marys superintendent, Greg Peters, said the end goal of donating blood for a much-needed service was the big win for all four.
"Every day our officers respond to serious incidents, including road crashes, serious assaults, drug and alcohol-related incidents, and natural disasters," Superintendent Peters said.
"For the victims of these incidents, blood donors are their lifeline.
"If each eligible person in NSW gives up just a few minutes of their day to donate blood, many more lives can be saved," he said. Donations can be made at either the Nepean blood donation centre or the mobile bus service at Springwood or Richmond.