Is it hot in here, or is it just the Official FDNY 2014 Calendar of Heroes?
Featuring some of the city’s Bravest and sexiest — including six Queens firefighters — the calendar was released last week.
Every year firefighters from across the city try out to be one of 13 men chosen for the Calendar of Heroes, shot by famed nightlife photographer Patrick McMullan.
In addition to the shirtless FDNY men, each month features a fire safety message.
The calendar also promotes a good cause.
All sales proceeds go directly to the FDNY Foundation, which raises money for the Fire Department’s public safety programs and the professional development, training and education of its members.
Helping the department was one reason two-time model Rob Derrig tried out for the calendar.
Derrig, of Ladder 133 in South Jamaica, was featured as the November model in the 2013 Calendar of Heroes and appears in October in the 2014 edition.
He said his wife, Kris, was his real motivation. She wanted him to try out for the calendar since he started working for the Fire Department, said Derrig.
The Merrick, Long Island resident has been a New York City firefighter for 14 years, and has worked in Queens for about the last six. He has also been a drill instructor at the FDNY Fire Academy on and off since 2005.
Last year, Derrig finally decided to attend an FDNY Calendar of Heroes casting call as a 15-year wedding anniversary gift for his wife.
“I [thought] if I make, it it would be a nice surprise. If I don’t make it, I will just tell her I tried,” he said.
She was not disappointed with the present. In fact, she loved the photo so much that she urged him to try out a second time.
He admits he was somewhat shocked when he made it into the calendar again.
“I’m flattered because these guys are in really good shape,” he said. “Just to be asked to be included in it is kind of an honor.”
Derrig, 44, was the oldest firefighter in the calendar both last year and this year.
But he said the true honor is representing the FDNY.
“My very first day in the academy, I knew that I found my calling,” said Derring.
“It’s a physical job, but you do good things and it’s nice to help people,” he added. “They call it the best job in the world and it’s the truth.”
Joining Derrig in this year’s calendar are fellow Queens firefighters Recordo Demetrius of Engine 304 in Queens Village, Robert Morgan from Woodside’s Engine 325, Ralph Ciccarelli from Ladder 135 in Glendale, Brian Dessart of Far Rockaway’s Ladder 121 and Noel Reyes of Ladder 128 in Long Island City.
To purchase a copy of the calendar, visit www.FDNYFoundation.org.
Video courtesy of FDNY/YouTube
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