Bronx firefighter Danae Mines: First woman in FDNY Calendar of Heroes

As “Miss March,” firefighter Danae Mines is the first female firefighter in the FDNY Calendar of Heroes.
Credit: FDNY

The FDNY is spicing up their annual calendar of beefcakes with a historic addition.

Already one of only 41 female firefighters in the city, Danae Mines is also the first woman featured in the FDNY 2015 Calendar of Heroes.

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“I’m hoping I get the opportunity to inspire other women to come on this job,” said Mines, assigned to Engine Co. 60 in the South Bronx.

Though the men are all shirtless in the shots taken by nightlife photographer Patrick McMullan, Mines is modestly dressed in a grey FDNY tank top. With a big smile, her photo is used for March — Women’s History Month.

Mines said she’s wanted to be in the calendar since she became a firefighter 11 years ago. In January, she auditioned with some 100 other firefighters for 13 spots.

She was the only woman who tried out — probably because her 40 female colleagues didn’t know they could, Mines said.

“I didn’t even know,” she said. “I had to ask if I could apply because I’ve only seen men in it.”

Firefighter and “Mr. May” Tommy Herrick, of Engine Co. 24 in lower Manhattan, previously worked alongside Mines for years in the Bronx. He said her photo means the calendar is closer to matching the city’s diversity.

“It was only a matter of time,” Herrick said.

There is a woman in the FDNY calendar for the first time.
Credit: Bess Adler/Metro

Proceeds from the calendar benefit the FDNY Foundation, the department’s non-profit. Firefighter and “Mr. December” John Kilian, of Queens, said it was great to help raise money for fire safety.

He also said it was “fantastic” to have a woman take part.

“I’m proud of her,” Kilian said.

His girlfriend, Danielle Rapino, 26, agreed.

“It’s so nice to see a woman showing that what they can do, she can do too,” Rapino said.

Mines, who has wanted to be a firefighter since elementary school, said she didn’t think about her safety as a woman when she joined the FDNY. She only wants to save lives.

“Being a female never concerned me,” Mines said.

The FDNY 2015 Calendar of Heroes is $15.95 and can be purchased here.

Danae Mines signs autographs in Times Square on Tuesday.
Credit: Bess Adler/Metro