From left, the firefighters' union has provided coats for kids through Operation Warm, sponsored 25 children for Christmas through DCF and accepts the BeFit donation from Smegal.

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A local business has boosted the Pittsfield Fire Department's BFit Challenge fundraiser by $10,000, doubling last year's total.

When Jason Smegal, owner of J Smegal Roofing and Gutters, became aware of firefighters' increased risk for occupational cancer and the fundraiser for early detection, he knew he wanted to help out.

"I thought it was a great cause," he said. "And I also thought it was great that all the money stayed local and stayed in Mass, so we are directly able to help all the people that help us."

Every February, members of the department travel to Boston to climb the stairs of the TD Garden in support of the New England Fire Cancer Fund. First responders, military members, and other community members each raise $300 to participate in the event powered by National Grid.

Fundraising has grown exponentially in just a few years. For the 2024 BFit event, the department raised just over $12,000; for 2025, it expects to collect as much as $25,000.

Co-captain of the local BFit team Robert Leary said he first participated in 2020 with just himself and another firefighter, that year only raising $600. Fifteen firefighters and five friends and family members have already signed up this year.

"Jay and his company stepped up and said they'd help sponsor us and offered us a tremendously generous donation of $10,000, which has really helped with our fundraising goals," Leary said.

"Each year we've gone up. Basically all of the money, 100 percent of proceeds goes to fighting early detection for cancer in firefighters. So it's between screenings, between early diagnosis, and any support that we can give firefighters and it does stay all local within the state of Massachusetts so it is pretty beneficial to us."

He said Fire Department members have had things picked up on screenings that they weren't aware of— a couple with asymptomatic stage four cancer.

"It's a benefit but at the same time, it's hard because we're getting some of these diagnoses," he added.

"But it's been huge and this year, they're trying to break over the $1 million mark of funds raised. Last year, they were up just below $900,000."

This will be co-captain Katie Medders' fourth year doing the BFit Challenge. While the most important aspect is the fundraising for important first responders and military causes, camaraderie is also a plus.

Teams can dictate where the funds they raise will go. 

"Each year we just try to get more of the department involved because not only is it a great benefit for this organization, it also helps us stay healthy and active," she said.

"And it really is a fun event to do, brings us closer together."

Medders said donations like Smegal's allow others to join the team.

"It's really just trying to get the department involved together to stay active and physically fit because it goes with the prevention of cancer," she said.

Participants begin at the ice level of TD Garden and go through the stadium to the concourse level, which is about five levels, to the promenade. Over the years, it has been expanded to go another seven flights up to the Verizon Tower where corporate offices are.

The fastest Pittsfield team members completed the challenge in about 21 minutes.

Leary said it's not so much about the physical challenge, as it is pretty doable, but about setting a good goal for yourself.

"It's as challenging as you want it to be," Medders said. "And again, at the end of the day, it's just all this money goes to great organizations and it's just something fun to do."

Smegal began his roofing and gutter business in 2011. The main office is in Lenox and with branches located in Pittsfield.  

It was a charitable week for the Pittsfield Fire Department, as it also donated nearly $2,500 in gifts to the state Department of Children and Families on Tuesday and winter clothing to the Boys and Girls Club on Thursday.

Each year, the department's union sponsors presents for 25 children who would otherwise go without.

"It's something that we've been doing ever since I've been in the department so it's an ongoing tradition and I think our members get a lot of reward out of it knowing that the money is going back to something so worthwhile," Leary said.

Pittsfield Firefighters Union Local 2647, IAFF,  was chosen to award a facility with 50 winter coats and gear as part of Operation Warm. It was coordinated by the Boston Bruins Foundation and the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, the state chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters union.

This year, $15,000 was allocated for Operation Warm donations across the state. The Bruins also donated branded beanies, stickers, and bracelets for the kids.

Local 2647 President Tom Scherben explained that the Boys and Girls Club was chosen because they support many Berkshire County children.

"They're just a good organization that does a lot locally," he said. "So when we were thinking about organizations that we can give back to, they were at the top of the list."

He said this is a tradition that they try to carry on whenever the state affords the opportunity. The union has given out a couple hundred coats through this program over the years.

• Most Read

• Most Comments

• All News

• Blogroll

• Photos