While exercising to be fit for duty is promoted in the fire and EMS service, the effort by Jacksonville firefighters didn't go over well.

That's because they decided to drive a ladder truck to a fitness center 20 miles away to attend a Pilates class taught by a fellow firefighter.

While they were gone for four hours, firefighters in neighboring stations had to cover the area, JAX reported, adding that the department's urban search and rescue team also is housed there.

The studio also has a location in San Marco, which is within Ladder 4’s assigned area.

The firefighters, as well as the officers and chief who authorized the Pilates excursion, were all counseled, a fire official said. 

“Public trust matters to JFRD, and we take any decision to remove apparatus and personnel from their assigned territory without proper approval seriously. We understand this activity falls short of the standard the community expects from us,” a spokesperson told reporters.

In unrelated matter, four firefighters assigned to the same station were charged in January for firing paint balls at police officers.

The charges were dropped after the firefighters took a diversity training class, reports indicated.