The Bedford Fire Department had to change the name of its third annual calendar to “Bedford’s Bravest.”

“We had to change it from ‘The Boys of Bedford Fire’ because we have a female firefighter this year,” said Capt. Kevin Murray.

And, probationary firefighter Gail Gullo carried on the tradition for first-year staffers. She dutifully got into a tub at Chief Scott Wiggin’s house to have her photo taken for the calendar. She is the month of November.

“I pretty much just got in the tub and that was it,” Gullo said.

The 2007 calendar also features a portrait of Wiggin superimposed in front of the fire that destroyed the building at 165 South River Road in September. It also showcases a bit more of the firefighters.

“We try to make it a family calendar, but each year some of the women who buy the calendars want to see a little more skin. But, we try not to cross the line,” Murray said.

It wasn’t tough for photographer Madonna Lovett Repeta to get Lt. Keith Folsom to pose with just a helmet and a fire hose.

“Madonna said the public wanted more skin this year.

And, I’d taken my shirt off last year, so I said ‘OK,’” Folsom said. “But, I guess for a guy in his 40s, it was kind of tough to get me to say ‘Yes.’”

This year, the calendar was designed by firefighter Josh Glennon. He has a background in graphic design, Murray said. He’s also the model for July.

“He’s all greased up, there,” Murray said, laughing. “He’s the only one of us who belongs doing this.”

The photographs were taken in August and September, and some are meant to showcase the lives of the firefighters. For 2005, Murray was photographed at Joppa Hill Farm with a cow because he doesn’t buy store-bought meat.

The calendars, which sell for a $15 donation, are available at the safety complex. Murray said firefighters will be happy to sign their photos, as long as you catch them when they’re on duty.

Proceeds from the calendars go to the Bedford Firefighters Association, President Tom Green said. Sales from the 2005 calendar brought in $3,000 and $4,000 for the 2006 calendar, he said. This year, the department hopes to bring in $5,000 for the association. That money goes to fire prevention education and supplies for schools, Green said. The association also grants scholarships for students from Bedford.

“The community really benefits from the sale of these calendars through fire prevention,” Green said.