Women across the Lower Mainland will soon be able to get an up close and personal look at a pair of Delta's firefighters.
Eric Bugiel and Mike Cvitkovich are two of 12 Lower Mainland firefighters featured in the 2013 Greater Vancouver Firefighters Hall of Flame calendar.
Both have been with the Delta Fire Department for about four years and said they volunteered to be a part of the annual calendar, which helps raise money for a myriad of charities, including B.C. Professional Firefighters Burn Fund, CKNW Orphans Fund and the Vancouver Firefighters Charitable Society.
Neither have been featured in the calendar in the past, however, numer-ous other Delta firefighters have graced its pages, including a total of five in 2011.
"It was kind of awkward," Bugiel said of the photo shoot, adding he's never taken his shirt off for the camera before.
"It was fun," said Cvitkovich, who is featured in the month of August.
Bugiel closes out the calendar as Mr. December.
Both said the photo shoot gave them extra motivation during workouts.
The Hall of Flame calendar has become a tradition in the Lower Mainland. The idea was conceived and implemented 26 years ago by Vancouver firefighters and has since raised more than $1 million.
The calendar is being released at a special event at Republic Nightclub in Vancouver tonight.
Tickets cost $30 and are available at the door. The ticket price includes a copy of the calendar and the chance to meet the featured firefighters, as well as an opportunity to take part in the bachelor auction for a chance to go on a date with one of the firefighters. The firefighters will also be appearing at a variety of events throughout the year.
Locally, both Bugiel and Cvitkovich will be out next weekend with many of their fellow Delta firefighters collecting donations around the community in the department's annual boot drive, which raises money for the Delta Firefighters Charitable Society.
The 2013 Greater Vancouver Firefighters Hall of Flame calendar will be available at select London Drugs and Save-On-Foods stores as well as online at www.vancouverfirefighters. ca/fundraising.
