On Jan. 27, the Wilmington Fire De­partment will participate in the third annual BFit First Responder Challenge at T.D. Garden. The challenge is put on by the Boston Bruins Foundation, and is intended to raise awareness of health and wellness within New England. The challenge is comprised of three divisions: the Fire­fighter/EMT division, the Law Enforcement division, and the Civilian division. During the challenge, participants have the choice of three climbing courses to complete, while other activities are offered for friends and family in attendance. The idea behind the BFit challenge has its roots locally in Wilmington. In 2004, during the NHL strike, Bru­ins players, accompanied by strength and conditioning coach John Whitesides, came to the Wilmington Fire Station to train and observe the daily operations of the department. From there, the BFit challenge came to be. Since the challenge began in 2017, the members of the Wilmington Fire Depart­ment have been the undefeated victors of the challenge. Last year, The Wil­ming­ton Fire Department raised over $16,000, and Wil­mington Firefighter Chuck Taylor held the title for the highest individual fundraiser in the challenge, raising over $7,000.

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