Want to celebrate the month of love with Charlie from Eagle River Fire, Mr. February? Get in line, ladies and gents. 

Not only is he Mr. February 2019, he’s also steaming up the covers of several bestselling romance novels. Way too hot to handle! It’s time to turn your calendars to February and daydream about a Valentine’s Day with this hottie. 

Charlie started his career in healthcare at Memorial Hospital as a Patient Care Tech on the Ortho/Surgical floor. Working in the hospital gave him a little taste of what is was like to help people but he aspired to do more. As a healthcare professional he had always looked up to firefighters, so it seemed like firefighting was the perfect fit for him. From there he tested and was hired onto the Eagle River Fire Protection District, where he has served 11 years. “I love working up here in the mountains, we run a wide variety of calls throughout the year and are challenged everyday.”

Charlie is not a first timer in the Colorado Firefighter Calendar, his first appearance was in 2013 as Mr. June. Why a second year, you ask? In 2013, his daughter was a small toddler and his mom was battling cancer. Making it to events, and really putting in the amount of time the cause deserves wasn’t an option then. Over the past year, he felt as if something was missing, a purpose outside of the fire service and being a dad. This purpose was the need to give back to the children in our community who have been impacted by burn related injuries, and CFC allowed him to fulfill that purpose. “Thankfully I’m now able to lump all three aspects of my life together! Now that my daughter is 9 years old, I am able to bring her with me to most of the CFC events, raise some serious money for the burn center and burn camps program at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She’s a wonderful helper! It is also a great teaching opportunity on giving time for charity work.” 

Charlie’s favorite part of the calendar experience was spending the day at Camp Cheley in Estes Park for Children’s Hospital Burn Camp. “Getting to interact and play with all the kids that CFC raises money for, made everything worth it. The educational piece of the calendar, Junior Fire Setters program at children’s Hospital, I also find very rewarding. Helping kids and parents understand the dangers they face inside the house is hands down the most important. Fire prevention and keeping children out of the burn center to begin with is a pivotal part of the fire service.”

The number one question we all want to know is… how does Charlie stay in calendar shape? He stays in mental and physical shape by weightlifting 5 or 6 days a week and running. He and his daughter have also starting running together with plans to run in a handful of 5k’s this year, possibly a 10k if she’s ready to tackle it. Charlie is currently training for a 25k trail run in Colorado Springs, the Colfax and Leadville Marathons.

Who inspires Charlie? Who are his heroes? “My mom is definitely my hero. She always put her kids first. She did everything to make my life amazing while she was alive. Everyday I strive to be the type of parent she was.”

Did you know that Charlie is wicked shy in-person compared to his social media appearance. “I’m definitely cooler online.” 

Charlie also loves to read and he’s even been featured on the cover a few NY Times Bestselling romance novels. You’ll have to come to an event to ask him about that. 

“If you are unsure about having a shirtless firefighter calendar in your house, then buy one to give to a friend! The money raised is going to an incredible cause and every calendar matters.”