After four years as a calendar guy, Middletown Fire Lt. James Ehman is about as comfortable posing for photographs as anyone can be. And when the joshing or tomfoolery begins during the annual MARC: Community Resources fundraiser photo shoot at the downtown station, it’s nothing new to these good-natured public servants.
Teasing — and being teased — is practically a requirement of the job.
“You look at some of the new guys compared to us, who are in our fourth or fifth year, and you see a little look on their faces, ‘I’m going with it but it’s a little nervewracking,’” said Ehman, who was Mr. October 2016. “There is a little ribbing.” But it cuts any awkwardness and can even serve as motivation, he said.
Joking around really helps for firefighters who’ve never sat for a MARC calendar before.