The men and women whose job it is to put out the flames caused spontaneous combustion of a different kind when their walk down a City Hall Events Center runway ignited cheers, whistles and a blaze of flashing cameras from the largely female crowd of 600 who’d gathered for a party celebrating the release of the 2012 Colorado Firefighter Calendar.
Most of the firefighters relished the spotlight, high-fiving the admirers standing next to the runway and flexing the muscles it takes to meet the demands of a very physical line of work.
Longmont firefighter Molly Meehan, Ms. June, admitted the attention is something she’s still getting used to, “but so far as I can see, there’s no downside — especially since the money we’re helping to raise goes to such a worthy cause.”
The calendar is the fundraising arm of Fired Up For Kids, which raises money for the burn unit at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Founder Kirsten Hamling says the income generated this year will support the work of a burn-unit doctor who is part of a clinical trial that involves laser therapy to lessen scarring.
Calendars are $20 and can be purchased by visiting .
La Don Williams, Mr. July, was determined to be in his best shape for the release party, adopting a healthier diet and plenty of exercise in the weeks leading up to the event. His plans were nearly foiled, though, by his Denver station mates who played to his sweet tooth. “They started making the richest desserts ever,” Williams said. “It took a lot of strength to resist.”
Winning the coveted cover spot was an added bonus for Colin Brunt of the Brighton department. He recently became engaged to Olivia Werde.
The calendar opens with Mr. December 2011, Charlie Karl, and closes with Todd Godek, Mr. January 2013. In between are images of Neal Martin, Tyler Capron, Scott Roahrig, Kip Korthuis, Corey Piper, Brian Thorngate, Gary Riggins, Nick McKibbin, Derek Trombetta and Matt Van Dyken.
Asked to recall his most vivid memory from his first year on the job with the South Metro department, Van Dyken replied: “My first call. I put someone else’s boots on.”
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
