Since the inception of Greater Victoria's 4 core Fire Departments (Saanich, Victoria, Oak Bay and Esquimalt), Firefighters have spent countless hours volunteering their time and effort to assist the communities and people that they serve. The Firefighter Calendar is just one of many community events and fundraisers that our Professional Firefighters are involved in.

A recent history of the Firefighter Calendar begins with Saanich and Victoria producing separate calendars in the mid 1980's. These early calendars raised much needed funds for the community and served as a blueprint for future successes.

In 2007, Firefighter Jeevan Manhas, (Saanich Fire Department), revitalized the Calendar and produced raised a respectable $25,000. This money was donated to the Women's Sexual Assault Centre. In 2008, Manhas again produced a Saanich Firefighters Calendar - again successfully raising $25,000 that was donated to the Greater Victoria Boys and Girls Club.

In 2009, the first ever Victoria-Saanich Firefighter Calendar was received with much fanfare. As of yet, the full amount of funds from this release has not been tallied - but it promises to be more successful than in previous years. Funds from this calendar, will be donated directly into our local communities.

2010 promises to be yet another groundbreaking year for the FireFighter Calendar. This year, we will have Firefighters from all Local Professional Fire Departments - Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay and Esquimalt, and have set a goal of raising a minimum of $50,000.

Professional Firefighters from Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay and Esquimalt Fire Departments all have established not-for-profit charitable foundations. These foundations have been established by the membership of each department for the purpose of raising funds and donating them directly into the communities in which we live and work.

Saanich Firefighters Charitable Foundation:
The Saanich Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation is a registered non-profit charity that was established in 2001 in response to community need and the desire to help make a difference. Their primary objective is to raise funds and provide financial support to a broad range of organizations including the BC Children's hospital, Times Colonist 1000 Christmas Fund, The British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund, Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the Variety Club Children's Charity.

Victoria Firefighters Charitable Foundation:
The Victoria Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation was formed in 2006 and is a registered non-profit charity. Their wish, as a group, is to make a positive impact in the community, and in particular, the underprivileged youth and children. They have donated funds to George Jay Elementary School "Breakfast Club", Vic West Elementary "Hot Lunch" program, BC Creek Protection Society, the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund, Muscular Dystrophy Canada, Hampton Little League Baseball, and have a long-standing relationship with the United Way supporting their "Single Parent Resource Center" & Hospice.

Esquimalt Firefighters for Charity:

Since the inception of Esquimalt fire department in January 2003, the Firefighters have been diligent in raising money for many charities Provincially and  within our own community. We host the annual Buccaneers Day dance which brings funds to our community sports teams, and The Esquimalt Neighborhood house. Emergency Services hockey team who host the NHL OldTimers, and the Terry Fox run every September are some of our local events. The Muscular Dystrophy boot drive in May, BCPFFA Burn Fund and the BC Cancer Agency are the charities that our firefighters are committed to on a provincial level.

Oak Bay Firefighters for Charity:

Oak Bay Professional Firefighters are constantly active in our community. We take pride in offering our time and services "off the job" to the local events and charities. Fire Fighters from all over the world give more than they receive. Year round people need help and fire fighters are among the first to give and donate time, money, clothing compassion and respect to those who need it most. Because firefighting is such a stressful, demanding job, many firefighters find comfort in helping. This is possibly because all too often we see people in the worst time of their lives, we enjoy giving back to enable them to have a better life from that point on.