Bringing the heat: Firefighters pose with adorable animals

By Jamie Smith via SWNS

Australia's hottest firefighters are raising money for the country's wildlife foundations by posing for an annual calendar featuring adorable pets and Australia’s endangered native wildlife.

Internationally acclaimed Australian Firefighters Calendar is back for its 29th year, having amassed over 750 million FB views and being distributed in over 100 countries last year.

This year the parents of much-loved cats and dogs entered their fur babies to take part in the photoshoot. In some cases, they come from hundreds of miles away just to be a part of it.

“We received over 5,000 photos of every type of animal you can imagine to take part in the photoshoot and they enter from all over world," saidCrystal Doohan, Australian Firefighters Calendar creative director.

“We even had a lady from Moscow that wanted fly her cat to Australia! It takes one month to sort through all the eligible entrants."

The photoshoot is a 25-day animal lovers’ extravaganza. Much loved pets, Australian wildlife, farm animals, therapy, and rescue horses from all over the Southeast Queensland come together to take part in the photoshoot.

The usual five fan favorite editions - Classic, Cats, Dogs, Horse and Mixed Animal- will be made available to fans this year, as well as a new 'Summer' calendar,featuring firefighters having fun in the sun on some of Australia’s most iconic beaches.

The inaugural Summer calendar cover features Australia’s fittest firefighter, Matt Haydon.

There are many new faces in the 2022 editions, including Ben Church, a firefighter from Western Australia.

“I wanted to do it for my Grandma and Mum, they were so proud that I was selected to take part in the photoshoot," Ben said.

“They embarrassed the heck out of me by emailing the calendar co-ordinators advising them I was the most handsome firefighter in Western Australia and the guys have not stopped reminding me of that! Thanks Grandma and Mum!”

Another new face is Ricky Smith, a Brisbane based firefighter.

“I received a phone call congratulating me that I had been selected for the 2022 Australian Firefighters Calendar, I thought to myself that I had never sent an application in? What is this guy talking about?," Ricky said.

“I found out later that my girlfriend had done it without me knowing. Before I knew it I was standing in front of seven members of the photography team. I was absolutely terrified, I have never even taken a selfie!”

Donations from this year’s calendar focus heavily on community animal welfare groups, including Native Animal Rescue, Wildcare Inc, Safe Haven Animal Rescue, Australian Seabird Rescue, Fauna Rescue of SA, Healing Hooves, Reason to Thrive, Kids with Cancer Foundation and Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.

“The unsung work that many of these volunteer-based organizations do is outstanding. Without these dedicated wildlife warriors many sick and injured domestic and wildlife animals simply would not survive," saidDavid Rogers, director of the Australian Firefighters Calendar.

“These wonderful people are the reason we try so hard to produce calendars that not only help raise funds and awareness, but also honor their work.”