New Westminster's Chad Buch keeps himself in top shape, hitting the gym every day.
As a firefighter, he needs to be fit to do the kind of strenuous work the job demands, and this year, he's putting his good looks to good use.
Buch is one of a dozen firefighters from around the Lower Mainland who volunteered to pose shirtless for the 2013 Greater Vancouver Firefighters' Hall of Flame calendar, which raises money for various charities.
"You'd think that we're divas, guys with big egos, but it's not like that," he said. "It's kind of one of those things that you'd like to do once in your career and everybody's just really down to earth and wants to be there to help sell the calendars."
This year, the goal is to raise $100,000 for the B.C. Professional Firefighters' Association Burn Fund and the CKNW Orphans' Fund.
More than $1 million has been raised for various charities in the 26 years since the campaign began.
For the past six years, Buch has worked for the Coquitlam Fire Department, and before that he volunteered as a firefighter for four years.
After seeing a poster at his hall every year recruiting for the calendar, Buch decided this would be his year to apply.
To be chosen as a "calendar guy," he and the other men had to commit to a number of charity events where they will volunteer their time to help raise awareness and funds, and, of course, had to be happy to partially strip for the camera.
The photo shoot was at a heritage fire hall in Vancouver, where Buch was told his pose would be the only action shot out of the 12 - he would be running to the fire truck, his jacket suavely slung over his shoulder.
"You're nervous at first, because you're not sure how you're going to look on film, and we're not professional models, right?" he said. "So there's a bit of nervousness, but it's kind of fun, too."
"Mr. June" and the rest of the group will be at several events in the coming months to help raise awareness of the charities and fundraise for the cause.
This weekend they will be in Abbotsford for the West Coast Women's Show, strutting their stuff in a fashion show at the TRADEX on Saturday.
Buch will also be doing a cooking show, demonstrating the skills he's picked up in preparing healthy meals at the fire hall for himself and his crew.
The calendars are available now at London Drugs, Save On Foods or online at www.vancouverfirefighters.ca, and at the Women's Show this weekend, Oct. 19 to 21.
