The respected first responders of Colorado’s fire departments are skilled at saving lives and combating wildfires, but once a year, they approach things a bit differently: by turning up the heat.
The annual Fire Rescue Dogs Calendar, created by a number of Denver Metro firefighters, features 18 male firefighters who have stepped out of their protective gear to model alongside some very special guests: Adoptable puppies.
Calendars sell like hotcakes at $20 a pop, all benefitting Lifeline Puppy Rescue, a no-kill shelter based in the Rocky Mountain region.
“It’s our biggest fundraiser for Lifeline Puppy Rescue,” Amy VanDerbroek, the calendar’s project manager, told 9NEWS Denver.
“It’s raised over $950,000 over the past ten years. Our goal this year is to raise another $200,000.”
Calendar sales help the rescue pay for essential procedures like spaying and neutering, micro-chipping, medical care, and most recently, the construction of a larger facility.
While the models are local to Colorado, the annual calendar has seen worldwide success and has enabled the project to grow in the last decade.
In August, the firefighters and a handful of community sponsors also hosted a launch and signing party, where the shirtless firefighters continued to raise funds — adoptable dogs standing by.
“Just like our brave firefighters, Lifeline Puppy Rescue saves lives every day. They just happen to be four-legged furballs who are in need of their forever family,” a web page for Fire Dogs Rescue Calendar reads. “With each calendar sold, one precious puppy gets rescued. Let’s make a lasting impact together.”
The models apply every year and are often featured on the project’s social media accounts as Mr. September, and the like. Their Instagram account boasts over 108,000 followers, meaning the guys — and their furry friends — get plenty of eyes year-round.
Thornton Fire Lieutenant Thomas Kapuan has always been a dog lover and often volunteers to help the shelter, though the calendar became a way for him to focus on his fitness goals.
“Dogs are my favorite animal and helping these little guys, it means the world to me,” he told 9NEWS. “It’s been very rewarding, both through the fitness gains that we’ve made, and then also helping all of these adorable puppies.”
It doesn’t hurt that the annual photo shoot includes the opportunity to snuggle up with a plethora of puppies.
“We were greeted by about 20 puppies first thing this morning,” firefighter Nick Dabrowski told 9NEWS. “I got into the fire service because I wanted to help people, help anyone really, dogs included.”
As it turns out, flaunting that community service — among other attributes — really does make a difference.
The calendar features intentionally sexy photos, as the firefighters go topless to complement their other uniform accessories, like hats, hoses, trucks, and even underwear that reads #SavePuppies on the elastic waistband.
Darling puppies also grace the pages — perhaps stealing the show — as bursts of water, smoke, and contained fires dance in the background.
Beyond the calendar, the firefighters also use the images to share social media reminders for pet safety tips, especially during the hottest months of the summer.
“We love helping the puppies. We love being involved in the community,” Kapaun said. “This is just another way for us to give back to the community that gives so much to us.”
It’s a genius tactic — one that will likely reach a total of $1 million raised this year — and one that Lifeline Puppy Rescue will fur-ever be grateful for.
“This project is made possible, thanks to the support of all of our wonderful volunteers, sponsors, and the hardworking firefighters in and around the Denver Metro area who have graciously volunteered their time” the rescue shared on its website.
“And, of course, the puppies.”
Header image courtesy of Fire Rescue Dogs Calendar