The Prince George Fire-Rescue Service has produced a real page-turner, even though it's only 12 pages long. Local heat-seekers are making the months of the year a certain kind of hot, this year - all year. They are the stars of a 2017 charity calendar that brings important money to a worthy cause and some twinkles to the eye of the beholder.
Let's be clear. This calendar is meant to show off the physiques of the highly trained professional firefighters of the city. It is a glimpse - or a long stare, your choice - at the human machinery that keeps us safe in times of emergency. And since she had your attention anyway, photographer Philomena Hughes also added some of the other tools of the trade as well.
"All the different aspects of what a firefighter is is what we tried to represent," said Hughes, of the city's most applauded art and portrait photographers.
"We wanted to show the different duties and the different circumstances they find themselves in, as part of their job. It's eye candy, but it is also reality."
The calendars will be released at a launch party on Saturday night at Fore Bistro inside the Prince George Golf & Curling Club. Each one will retail for $20 and the proceeds go to the B.C. Professional Firefighters Burn Fund, of which IAF Local 1372 in Prince George is an active, longtime member.
This is the second time the PGFRS crew has done a calendar for their associated charity. The first time the images were themed "A Day In the Life" of a local firefighter. The second time around, Hughes and the firefighters opted for a more traditional calendar - shirts off, turnout gear strategically worn.
"Even my mom and her friends in their 80s took a look at the last one and complained to me. 'Where's the beef?' So this time, it's more about that and the settings are the educational part," said Hughes.
Bryan Burleigh, the PGFRS representative to the provincial burn fund organization, said the first calendar was a success, but the public was vocal.
"It wasn't the image the public was looking for, they let us know they wanted a traditional firefighter calendar with shirts off, so hopefully there's a good response. We all have a good feeling about it," said Burleigh.
He has been a firefighter in Prince George for more than 13 years, and as experienced as he is on drastic situations, he was not aware of just how complex a simple photo is, when it is taken by a professional for commercial purposes. The things Hughes demanded of the models was surprising and sometimes quite difficult, because capturing a compelling, merchantable image requires physical demands in challenging conditions. Sometimes it was February and the topless firefighter was outside. Sometimes there was mud, sometimes flame, and sometimes just a pesky ray of sunshine that needed clouds to slowly drift into position.
He said he now understands what "suffering for art" means.
Hughes worked closely with each month's model to ambitiously portray scenes and situations particular to this city. Hixon Falls, the basement pipes in the bowels of College of New Caledonia, the alley mural at Groop Gallery, a muddy tow truck yard, these were among the locations sourced for the photos.
Then it was up to Hughes to work the photographer's alchemy with light and atmospheric conditions.
"I tried to leave it to the guys if they had ideas. It wasn't me just dictating," she said.
"They each have their specialties and their interests.
"One of them was into welding, so we did one in an automotive shop.
"One had an interest in fighting forest fires, and the trees were still warm as I shot those photos, he called me as soon as it was out. One wanted a bonfire in darker conditions. One wanted a Dalmatian, that spotted dog that used to be synonymous with firefighters, but it was really difficult to actually find one, it took months, but some people in town - Stephanie and Christopher Hendrickson - we found out had a Dalmatian puppy and they were kind enough to help us out.
"So getting a good idea was one thing; following through was another," she said.
Burleigh said the firefighters involved took the project to heart. They put in months of strict fitness regimens, called in friends and significant others to help hold props and carry gear, and one (Clayton Sheen) even had the presence of mind to call her to a fire (once it was put out, of course) because it presented the visual elements they wanted.
"Guys like that with intuitive ideas, to jump on a moment, truly made it a collective effort," said Burleigh.
The calendars were printed by Papyrus Printing of Prince George and the printing costs were sponsored by monthly corporate advertisers. They hope for a full sellout of the 1,500 calendars printed, to maximize their donation to the burn fund.
"That is what it is all about," said Burleigh. "The burn fund service is located in Vancouver but it is there for the whole province. It's there for Prince George people, a home away from home for patients and their families during treatment. One of the eight accommodation suites is even named after Prince George. Our pledge from the firefighters in Prince George was to raise $100,000 over three years, and this calendar project should put us over that line."
The launch of the calendars happens on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. There is no admission to attend, there will be a cash bar, the Fore Bistro menu and a deejay at your service, and several of the actual firefighter models there to sign their photos.
Following the launch, watch for sales tables at a number of key local events like the Theatre North West Wine Festival, Studio Fair, and others being arranged.
They can also be purchased at Canadian Tire, all Save-On-Foods locations, Bellisima, Urban Tan, and at Hughes' photo studio at Groop Gallery.
