Founded in 1993, the Australian Firefighters Calendar has seen roaring success over the past three decades. Now, the calendars can be found on people’s walls in over 90 countries around the globe.

Over the years, the project has raised and donated a jaw-dropping 3.4 million dollars to charities in Australia. Some of the causes close to the project team’s hearts include animal refuges, Australian wildlife, rural firefighters, and children suffering from cancer.

This year, more than 25 Australian firefighters from the aviation, military, and urban fire services took part in the month-long photoshoot for the calendar’s six editions. Many of the photos feature these heroes posing with animals, from cute kittens and adorable puppies to cuddly koalas and elegant horses.

Bored Panda asked Rogers, the Director of the Australian Firefighters Calendar, about the popularity of the project beyond Australia. Its success has been nothing short of astounding.

“It’s so popular now that we print the calendar in the Netherlands, the United States, Taiwan, and Australia. It is still amazing to me that every year more and more people from around the world want a copy of their favorite calendar,” he told us via email.

“The firefighters were asked to appear on the Kelly Clarkson Show in the US last year. Next week, they are in Taiwan for a promotional trip for our distributor there. One minute the firefighters are on a firetruck, the next minute, they are in a TV studio,” Rogers explained just how phenomenal a hit the entire project has been. “They have become part of something very special.”

Bored Panda wanted to get to grips with the kind of preparation that firefighters, as well as anyone aspiring to walk down this career path, need to have.

“The firefighters are continually training to ensure their skills are up to standard at all times. There are many life-and-death situations they face in their career,” the Director of the project said.

“They need to be ready for anything at any time. That is why the training never stops. Working in a team environment is also important in a life-and-death or dangerous situation.”

Meanwhile, Rogers stressed the importance of being able to work in a team environment. That’s what’s essential if you want to be a truly dependable firefighter. However, it’s not the only quality you need.

The Director said that what’s also important is “to be reliable to complete tasks alone.” He added: “Firefighters always put their safety second to the public. I think this is why they are so loved around the world.”

Some of the charities that the project will donate to this year include the Queensland Koala Society, Kids with Cancer Foundation, Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital, and Safe Haven Animal Rescue. Among the other organizations that the 2024 Australian Firefighters Calendar will support are Wildcare Inc, Fauna Rescue of SA, Native Animal Rescue, CAVFA, Best Friends Felines, All Breed Canine Rescue Inc, and Healing Hooves.

On top of that, the project is supporting some charities in the US, too, including the Florida Wildlife Project in Fort Lauderdale, to rebuild their Tortoise Rehab enclosure.

As we’ve already heard, the project is a massive success not just in Australia but also abroad. The US, especially, loves the Calendar to bits. That’s why this year, two firefighters, Caden Troy and Jacob Hacker, were flown out to take part in the photoshoot.

“I have had a love for firefighting ever since I was a kid visiting my dad at the station he worked at. The brotherhood and camaraderie were always something I strived for but never fully understood until I joined the fire service 6 years ago. That family atmosphere is exactly what I found when I was asked to be a part of the 2024 Australian Firefighters Calendar,” Troy, from the St. Lucie County Fire District in the US, shared.

“I was able to firsthand see the amazing people, animals, and unique environment that Australia has to offer. Most importantly I had the opportunity to interact with the numerous charities and foundations that the calendar benefits and learn of the importance of conservation efforts in order to protect our wildlife and environment. We live on one shared planet and this is a message I am more than happy to take back to the States and share with my audience. And oh yeah, I almost forgot…ripped firefighters with adorable animals. I think people might enjoy that as well,” Troy said.

Meanwhile, Hacker, a firefighter, paramedic, and actor born and raised in rural Ohio, opened up that one of his goals before reaching 30 was to be in the Australian Firefighters Calendar.

“When I was younger in my fire and medic career, it began as a joke because I felt like I could never be physically capable or fit enough to be one of those men you see in the calendar. After 10 years of hard work and dedication, I reached out to the Australian Firefighters Calendar. To my surprise they were impressed by my journey and wanted me to partake in their calendar,” Hacker, from Willard Fire and Rescue Ohio, said.

“This was a dream come true and one of the greatest honors of my life to be an American featured in an Australian Firefighters calendar for a good cause.”

Canadian firefighter Steven Giannopolous, from the Ottawa Fire Service, had this to say: “Firefighting was my dream as a little boy. I remember playing with all my little fire truck toys pretending to respond to emergencies and being fascinated every time I saw a real-life fire truck ripping to calls. As I grew up, I realized that it's not superheroes that are doing this job but actual people.”

He continued: “From that moment on I knew firefighting was what I wanted to do! I applied and went through all the rigorous tests and had the opportunity to become a firefighter at a really young age. It's been 9 years now and I haven’t looked back. One of the most dynamic and demanding jobs but also the most rewarding being able to serve your community and help people on the worst days of their lives.”

When you're done enjoying this list, be sure to check out Bored Panda's previous coverage of the Australian Firefighters Calendar from 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017.