In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, over 80% of New Orleans firefighters lost their homes and possessions, yet they valiantly continued to serve their community: fighting fires, rescuing people, and providing help in thousands of ways to their neighbors.

The New Orleans Fire Department suffered similar physical losses to its infrastructure. Although the fire-fighting equipment itself has largely been restored or replaced, until recently many of the fire stations were lacking such kitchen basics as pots and pans, plates, silverware, and microwaves. Since November 2006, the New Orleans Rotary Foundation has been working with District Chief Tim McConnell to raise over $12,000 to outfit each fire station's kitchen as it is restored.

Gayle Dellinger, a member of the New Orleans Rotary, learned of the need for uniforms while working on the kitchen project. "Station house uniforms were another big need," she said. "So many of the fire fighters lost everything. The Chief wasn't enforcing the uniform standard because he knew that the fire fighters would have to use their personal funds to buy uniforms."

New station house uniforms (not to be confused with fire fighting gear) would cost over $50,000, providing a pair of pants and a shirt for each fire fighter to wear on duty. Thus the idea for a fundraising calendar was born. The 2008 calendar will be on sale November 14, 2007.

The New Orleans Fire Fighters Look Hot 2008 Calendar is very different from the usual fire fighter calendar. "All of our shots show very fit firefighters in action poses with essential equipment," Gayle said. "They are captured doing the work of firemen. We have shots with water, smoke, using the jaws of life, ladder rescues, and firetrucks.