FDNYStarting a small, little fire couldn't possibly be that wrong if you're only doing it to get a visit from the sexy men and women of the New York Fire Department.* Yes, we said men and women because, despite female firefighters being seriously underrepresented, Danae Mines is here to shake things up.
(*Do not start fires, even if you would get a visit by FDNY. It is wrong and they're busy.)
Mines is an 11-year veteran of FDNY and the first woman to ever grace the pages of their infamous Calendar of Heroes. In an interview with the Daily News, she said she has always wanted to be one of the models but was told it was not an option because the honor was reserved for men.
Well, she sure showed 'em. Mines can be found absolutely killing it as Miss March in the FDNY's 2015 calendar, rocking an official FDNY tank top, red suspenders, olive pants and a healthy dose of sex appeal. Hey, this is a sexy firefighters calendar, after all. You go, girl.
"How did this beautiful lady end up in the previously all-male calender?" you may be asking yourself out of jealousy. Well, Mines, who is assigned to Engine Co. 60, saw an announcement for an open casting call and decided to stick it to the man.
"I wasn't going to let anyone tell me I couldn't do what I wanted to do," she says. "I was determined."
Despite being the only female at the open call, Mines decided it would be just one more example of adversity she would overcome: Even as a 10-year-old, Mines knew she wanted to be a firefighter, but her family told her to find another career. After starting as an EMT and eventually accepting a promotion to firefighter, her family changed its tune. She says they fully support her now and she experiences no more challenges than anyone else on the job.
Speaking of "the job," Mines is one of just 41 female firefighters in the FDNY. It's a low number, but we're glad to see her putting her face out there and inspiring others. "I wanted my picture in the calendar so that young girls and young women can see me and know that they can do this job," Mines explains.
All proceeds from the calendar go directly to the FDNY. And $15.95 is very reasonable price to pay for the blessing of waking up to these heroes every day. But if it's too expensive, you can always buy last year's calendar for just $5. It may not be the most helpful at keeping your meeting times organized but boy, it still functions as eye candy a few years later.
For proof, check out 2014's cover below. YUP.