Twenty-seven of the 28 con- tenders hoping to be Mr. January or Ms. August on the 2010 Firefighters Calendar figuratively set EXDO Event Center on fire last Friday night when they oiled up and flexed their amazing muscles in hopes of scoring a perfect 10 from the media personalities judging this benefit for the Children’s Hospital Burn Unit. And to paraphrase Paris Hilton: That was hot.
A tonsillectomy landed candidate Rachael Staebell in the hospital, but everyone else was in fine form as they appeared first in dress blues to answer questions from a panel that included 9News entertainment reporter Kirk Montgomery; Tracy Taylor from 92.5 The Wolf; CBS4’s Stacey Donaldsonand Lynn Carey; News2’s Chris Parente; and Shaul Turner from Fox-31.
Then they donned, and quickly shed, the upper half of their firefighting gear to make the final impression.
Gimmicks always work, and some were pretty clever.
Bobby Kominek (Aurora Fire Department) had a pocket full of little toy Dalmatian dogs to toss into the audience of what seemed like a thousand adoring females; Shane Erosky (Lakewood Fire Department) had lollipops. Jeff Patton (Cunningham Fire Protection District) was one of several who said it with roses, and Randy Beach (Aurora) was equipped with a supply of Hershey’s kisses. Rick Fox (Aurora) did a handstand, Mike Medina (Brighton) shot glitter from a fire extinguisher and Zac Varela (Aurora) was the surprise recipient of a bra thrown from the audience.
The winners have been chosen, but their identities will not be revealed until the 2010 calendar is unveiled in late August. Other contenders introduced by emcees Sam Adams and Erik Dyce included:
• Darrell Linkus of the Westminster department, who said his most rewarding experience occurred during his first ride-along when he and his father responded to a woman in labor and helped her deliver a healthy baby girl. Linkus’ father is also a firefighter, as is his twin brother.
• Molly Livaudais,a seven-year veteran of the Denver Fire Department. Her rooting section that night wore T-shirts that encouraged judges to Vote Molly 2010.
• Michael Hultman,a five-year veteran of the Denver department who served in Afghanistan and is the single father to a 3-year-old daughter. Christian Huttrer of the North Washington department is the single father of two daughters.
• Kendry Jackson,also with the Denver department. He says one of his favorite things is seeing “children’s faces light up when firefighters visit their schools” during Fire Safety Week.
• Sean Martinof the West Metro department is a former Children’s Hospital patient and decided to take part in the calendar contest as a way of expressing his appreciation for the care he received.
• Justin Julian, from the Aurora Fire Department, says his most gratifying experience came after his first CPR save, when he was able to speak with the woman he and his crew revived from cardiac arrest one week after the incident. And,
• Bill Ericksonof the Boulder Fire Department. At 58, he was one of the oldest contenders. He once rescued one of his sons from a car accident in which the vehicle rolled over him; his enthusiasm for his job set the stage for his two sons and two nephews to become firefighters, as well.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: jdavidson@denverpost.com; or 303-809-1314.
