They respond to medical emergencies, rescue people trapped in elevators or cars, deliver the occasional baby and, most importantly, fight the deadliest fires in the Lower Mainland.

They are firefighters, and they put their lives on the line on a daily basis.

Though their job demands being physically fit and having an unfailing willingness to help others, it doesn't mean they can't have a bit of fun every once in a while.

This year's 26th-annual Greater Vancouver Firefighters Hall of Flame calendar features three Coquitlam firefighters willing to bare almost all for a good cause.

"It's a really great event. Every year this event fundraises lots of money for the burn fund and other organizations," said Brent Glenen, a Coquitlam firefighter for more than four years, as well as Mr. February. "I'm proud to be a fireman and I thought, 'Why not? There's no reason not to.'"

For Chad Buch, Mr. June, the calendar is a unique way of fundraising that not all people have the opportunity to get involved with.

"There's a lot of tradition with the firefighters' calendar - throughout Canada, everyone knows about it," said Buch, who has been with

Coquitlam Fire & Rescue for seven years. "It's a really great opportunity for us to be able to give back in a way that nobody else [can]."

The volunteer models are taking it off for local charities with proceeds going to the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters' Burn fund, as well as the CKNW Orphans' Fund and various Vancouver Firefighters' Charitable Society-supported charities and non-profit organizations.

The trio round out the latewinter-to-early-spring section of the calendar, but remained tight-lipped about the photo shoots and what people can expect in this year's calendar.

"We're not professional models, so there is a sense of humour to the whole calendar - it's really about having a good time and supporting a good cause," said Buch.

"It's definitely not easy to get up and expose myself to a large group of women, but the cause pushes me through," said Mr. March, Len Pashley, who has also been with the department for seven years.

The calendar is one of the Vancouver Firefighters' Charitable Society's largest and most successful fundraisers, and this year they hope to surpass last year's sales of $50,000.

Since its inception in 1996, the Hall of Flame calendar and other fundraising initiatives have raised more than $1 million for charities throughout the Lower Mainland.

Plans are also in the works for an exclusive ticket-only ladies night at the Golden Spike Pub in Port Moody on Nov. 11. Tickets will be available at the pub.

The calendar will be launched on Sept. 14 and will be available online at www.vancouverfirefighters.ca or at select London Drugs and Save-on-Foods locations for $20.

editorial@thenownews.com