Two members of the Estevan Fire Rescue Service are on the front cover for the 2018 Saskatchewan Fire Fighters Calendar that was launched on Tuesday morning.
Lieutenant Lincoln Empey and firefighter Justin Charron were selected to be part of the 2018 calendar earlier this year, and they found out recently they would be on the cover.
The cover has Charron on the left and Empey on the right, shirtless, but wearing their firefighter helmets and turnout gear pants. Each is carrying an axe. The helmets cover most of their faces.
A fire truck is in the background.
Brad Woodard, who is a producer of the calendar, said Charron and Empey were selected after looking through numerous photographs. Their photo was selected because it was the best overall.
“We did a focus group, and figured out what we be the most eye-catching photo,” said Woodard. “It’s the one we went with.”
Woodard said Charron and Empey didn’t know they were on the cover until they received their copies a few days ago. Firefighters are encouraged to post a video with their reactions when they receive their calendars and see how their photos look.
Charron and Empey also appear in the calendar. Charron is the firefighter for May and Empey is the August firefighter.
Raelin Jackson, who is a member of the Bienfait Fire Department, is the November firefighter. She is one of three female firefighters in the calendar.
There is one other local connection for the calendar, as Chandra Drabek, a makeup artist from Estevan, handled the makeup for the calendar.
Woodard believes the calendar turned out really well, and the photos look great.
The calendars have arrived with
The calendars have arrived at the stores that are selling them. The calendars could have been launched on Monday, he said, but they were delayed a day because Monday was the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
This year also marks the 15th anniversary edition of the calendar. Proceeds from the sale will be directed to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. The hospital is currently under construction in Saskatoon.
Woodard noted that this calendar has remained popular over the years, even though a lot of people aren’t purchasing calendars any longer.
“Our calendar actually ranks as one of the top calendars in the world,” said Woodard. “Every year there is a site called the fire critic that reviews the firefighter calendars and ranks them. In the last few years, we’ve been in the No. 2 to 5 range.”
The calendar can be purchased locally at the House of Stationary and at Peavey Mart.
