Firefighters not only fight flames in the City of Brotherly Love but they also fight Philly cops in an annual weight loss challenge.
With job cuts happening all over the area, the fire dept. is proud to announce they have lost a couple of firefighters -- in weight.
The firefighters met with police officers Friday to take bragging rights in the 24th annual "Battle of the Badges" competition sponsored by Weight Watchers.
The exact amount lost by the fire department wasn't clear. But, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers presented retired firefighter and former firehouse cook, Stephen Hess, with a microwave oven after Hess was crowned the biggest loser by dropping more than 50 pounds.
The latest win for the firefighters holds some weight -- they are now tied at 12 with the police department in the annual competition.
The total 24-year loss is now at nearly 165,000 pounds combined between the two departments.
Weight Watchers has contributed nearly $175,000 in the name of the winning departments for college scholarships going to children of police officers and firefighters killed or disabled while in the line of duty.
