Flip to the third page in the 2012 Greater Vancouver Hall of Flame calendar and you'll find Burnaby resident and Vancouver firefighter Mitch Baker, adorned in firefighting gear and looking determined.
"I am Mr. March. I'm just pulling a hose off a truck - shirt off," he confirmed.
Proceeds from the calendar, now in its 25th year, go to a number of Lower Mainland charities including the Greater Vancouver Burn Fund, which supports burn unit wards at Vancouver General Hospital, B.C. Children's Hospital, the CKNW Orphans' Fund and Burn Camp, a firefighter/volunteer-run summer camp for kids who have suffered burns.
Baker said helping burn victims is something close to all firefighters' hearts.
"It's a horrendous experience to go through, especially if it's a severe burn, and it can lead to life-long struggles so it's certainly a great cause to help people with burns," he said. "Especially children because they have it tough as it is, looking different. Burn Camp helps them build up self-esteem, which will help support them throughout their lives."
Baker said he decided to put his name forward for the calendar after spending years moulding himself into something worthy of the iconic calendar.
"I was a bit out of shape about three years ago and I started working really hard to get back into shape. I've got a calendar-ready physique and I was excited to take a shot at getting in the calendar. It's a lot of fun, it's for a good cause and I thought it would be nice to have professional photos done of the way I look now because I'm sure I won't look like this forever," he said.
Baker said the teasing he's endured by his coworkers at the fire hall is worth it.
"I think they're more jealous than anything," he said.
Baker and the 11 other bare-chested Hall of Flame firefighters will be taking part in two fashion shows at the West Coast Women's Show at Abbotsford's TRADEX centre, October 21 and 22 to promote the calendar.
The calendar can be purchased at Lower Mainland London Drugs stores or ordered through the store link at www.iaff18.org.
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