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Bronx Firefighter Becomes First Woman Featured In FDNY Calendar Of Heroes

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Get 'em while they're hot! The FDNY 2015 Calendar of Heroes is now on sale.

The calendar, which honors the 150th anniversary of the fire department, features a female firefighter for the first time.

Danae Mines of Engine Co. 60 in the Bronx said that in addition to raising money for the FDNY Foundation, there were two big reasons for wanting to show off her great form.

Bronx Firefighter Becomes First Woman Featured In FDNY Calendar Of Heroes

"To represent the women on the job and I wanted to inspire other women to come on the job," Miss March said during an autograph signing in Times Square on Tuesday.

Mines, who is one of only 41 female firefighters in the department, said getting a spot in the calendar wasn't easy and lots of people tried to discourage her from auditioning, 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported.

"The calendar is all guys, females aren't in the calendar," the 11-year veteran said. "But I'm very determined so I pursued it."

Mines admitted that she felt a little intimidated while auditioning with a hundred shirtless men.

"I was very nervous as the only female there, but these guys made me feel very comfortable," she said.

Unlike the calendar guys who were showing off their abs, Mines donned a gray FDNY tank top and suspenders.

Fire Lt. Dellon Morgan, who is Mr. August, hopes his appearance in the calendar will encourage other minorities to join the department.

"It's a job, it's an opportunity for anybody with the right level of commitment and dedication," Morgan said. "Anybody can do something with themselves."

Firefighter Joseph Conforti of Ladder Company 163 in Queens is featured on this year's cover.

For Conforti it took a lot of prep and a push from his friends to land the cover spot, CBS 2's Emily Smith reported.

"No carbs at all, and very clean foods, a lot of avocados, a lot of salads," he said.

The calendar sells for $17.95.

All proceeds from the sale of the calendar go directly to the FDNY Foundation, which promotes fire safety education for residents and provides equipment and training for firefighters.

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