Lyons firefighters undress for fundraising calendar

Members of Lyons Volunteer Fire and Rescue take their role in public safety seriously.

A 2009 calendar featuring the town’s firefighters shows they don’t necessarily take themselves too seriously.

The “It Takes All Kinds” calendar features the firefighters in various states of undress, ranging from two topless men with fire extinguishers in a duck blind to a firefighter in an apron flipping pancakes.

“It all went back to those English ladies who did it,” said Ron Daberkow, firefighter and superintendent of the city of Lyons. “Other fire departments have done it, so we figured why not?”

Jamie Ferguson’s husband appears in the calendar, but she was quick to admit it wasn’t a “beefcake” calendar.

“The whole purpose of it was to have fun and show a fun side to our department,” said the volunteer EMT and Dodge County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher. “It was fun for us.”

It might have been fun, but baring almost all can cause some anxiety �” even if all the appropriate parts are covered.

“Everyone was kind of iffy about it at first,” Daberkow said. “But, we had fun doing it. There was a lot of

discussion and people popping up with ideas. Everyone in there is on the fire department.”

He said 24 different pictures were snapped in March, April and May. The calendar runs for 13 months, beginning in January.

“We let the rural fire board members sort out which ones got used and what month,” Daberkow said. “There were 24 options to pick from. Most of them are aimed at the month.”

Calendar sales are a fundraiser to help buy new air tanks for the volunteer firefighters.

“We’ve got some from the late ’80s and early ’90s,” Daberkow said. “There’s a lot better technology out there.”

The calendars have been available since July, but the firefighters are hoping for strong sales as the new year approaches.

“We’ve sold approximately 250,” Daberkow said. “We need to sell three-quarters of them to break even.”

There are still about 750 calendars remaining.

“With a $15 donation toward the air packs, you get a free calendar,” Daberkow said.

For additional information, call Daberkow at (402) 687-2745 or (402) 687-2130 or call Justin Webster at (402) 870-0636. Donations for air packs are accepted by mail at Lyons Rural Fire Department, P.O. Box 495, Lyons, NE 68038.