March 24, 2017
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
Police Commissioner Richard, J. Ross, Jr., left, Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel, (second from right), their department's mascots, 'McGruff, The Crime Dog', and 'Gentry' pose with the vice president of Weight Watchers of Philadelphia, Inc., John Birnhak, right, during the ceremonial weigh-in of the 31st Weight Watchers Battle of the Badges, Friday, March 24, 2017.
The city’s police and fire departments are going toe-to-toe in a heated showdown to see which can lose the most weight in the 31st annual “Battle of the Badges.”
Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel and Police Commissioner Richard Ross stepped on scales Friday morning at City Hall for the ceremonial “weigh-in,” kicking off the 13-week competition.
Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel, right, pretends to be the winner while standing on a scale next to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard, J. Ross, Jr., during the ceremonial weigh-in of the 31st Weight Watchers Battle of the Badges, Friday, March 24, 2017.
Philadelphia firefighters attended the ceremonial weigh-in at City Hall of the 31st Weight Watchers Battle of the Badges, Friday, March 24, 2017.“Can’t say enough about our partnership, even though we’re going to kick your butts,” joked Ross.
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
“Nah, really. This is a nice competition and an opportunity to get in shape and lose needed weight so we can get through these stressful jobs each and every day.
“These are two agencies that have the toughest job in the nation, bar none.”
The Philadelphia Fire Department's mascot, Gentry, looks on during the official weigh-in ceremony, Friday, March 24, 2017, at City Hall.
The annual “Battle of the Badges” motivates the city’s two uniformed departments to shed some extra pounds at the start of spring and jumpstart some friendly competition for a good cause.
“That trophy is gonna look great in my office,” said Thiel.
