Hub firefighters are seeking bonuses for keeping fit, following the lead of the State Police, according to today’s Boston Herald:

The union brass is pushing for an undisclosed sum for firefighters who complete a medical, physical and fitness test, sources tell the Herald.

Of course, if they want to keep up with the Staties, the firefighters should also be paid for getting fit. Remember how state motorcycle police were getting paid for playing golf in an underground driving range? From WBZ-TV in March (emphasis added):

State Police Sgt. Richard P. Hiller and other members of the motorcycle unit hit golf balls into a 20 x 20 foot net installed in the East Boston vent building, while on duty, as part of their paid exercise routine. State Police are permitted four hours of exercise each work-week as part of their contract. Golf is not an approved exercise, the internal report states.

Maybe urban golf would have qualified?

One lingering question from the WBZ story: What happens if a police officer collects pay for exercise time but then fails to qualify for a fitness bonus? Will the state then pay for a personal trainer to make sure he’s exercising productively?