Arlington firefighters are in second place, behind Hudson, as seven towns compete to improve health and fitness in a 12-week challenge sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. 

The competition began in January and continued the week of Feb. 1, with Arlington firefighters began participating in onsite physical fitness training Sessions designed to teach them how to best use gym equipment and vary activities and workouts for best results during the challenge. 

Involved in training are, from left above, Lt. Brian Gera, personal trainer Kathy Hewes, firefighter Tom Vincent and Chief Robert Jefferson.

So far, the Hudson firefighters are in the lead with 13, 846 steps measured.

The scorecard is from AWare Technologies, the company that provided the ActionTrackers the firefighters are using. The graphic is from the FitAWare program Web site, which also has a social-networking component allowing teams to communicate.

In March, the firefighters will take part in onsite healthy-cooking demos to further help them with their progress, and in April BCBSMA will rescreen the firefighters and crown the station with the highest average-steps over 12 weeks as wellness champion. 

To see a video about the challenge, click here >> 

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