A group of Anchorage firefighters is taking it off -- at least some of it -- for a good cause.
A dozen firefighters worked together -- all off-duty -- to create the 2015 Anchorage Firefighter's Calendar with a different firefighter for each month. All the proceeds of the publication are going to charity.
AFD dispatcher Julie Rychetnik came up with the idea for the calendar after deciding to combine her day job with her love for photojournalism. Rychetnik was spurred along by her friend, a cancer survivor, to donate half the proceeds to the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Anchorage, with the other half split between the Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains Ministries and at least one other organization that's yet to be determined.
Since releasing the calendar Tuesday, Rychetnik said support has been overwhelming. She's already sold over 800 calendars, raising a total of $13,000.
Rychetnik has secured enough donations from local businesses to print at least 2,500 calendars for a total of $40,000 in donations, though she said there is the potential to print more. She hopes to have a signing event for the calendar in January.
March firefighter Zach Stubbs said this isn't the first calendar with Anchorage firefighters posing for charity, but none has been as risqué as the 2015 calendar.
Stubbs, a captain, said he's heard nothing but positive feedback since family and friends found out he was going to be in the calendar. Stubbs, 34, serves as the cover model.
Rychetnik conferred with both the city and the fire department before moving forward with the calendar, with both giving their approval. Still, for Stubbs, there was a moment of concern just before the shoot.
"I work with a good bunch of fit guys, but I was definitely nervous once I really thought about what I signed on for," he said. "But it was also good motivation to get in the gym and get in shape as quickly as possible."
The calendar is currently available for purchase online.