By TERRY PUGH
Two area firefighters have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their quest to raise funds for the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Chris Peters, a captain with the Martensville Fire Department, and Scott Loyns, a member of the Hague Fire Department, are among 10 men and two women featured in the 2027 Saskatchewan Firefighters Calendar.
“It was a challenge, both physically and mentally,” said Peters, who bares his torso on the December page of the calendar. “I thought a long time about whether to take it on, but my wife said she was okay with it, and in the end I convinced myself it would be beneficial for the hospital and would help a lot of sick kids and their families.
“And in the end, it was actually a lot of fun. I’d even consider doing it again.”
The calendar was officially unveiled in early September and is now available online (saskfirefighterscalendar.com) and at select retail locations across the province. One hundred per cent of the proceeds from the sale of the calendar go to the Jim Pattison Hospital Foundation. Last year, the sale of calendars netted $150,000, which went toward medical equipment for the hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Loyns said he decided to apply to be photographed for the calendar back in late January, 2026, in response to a request put out to fire departments across the province from the Firefighters Calendar committee.
“It was a spur of the moment thing,” said Loyns, who graces the June page of the calendar. “The ad got my attention, so I did a little research on it, saw it was for a good cause, and decided it would be a great experience.
“Over the years, I feel like the firefighting community has given me a lot, so this offered me a way to give back in a way that would make a big difference for families with sick children.”
Both Peters and Loyns said applying for a spot on the calendar was the easy part.
Getting into tip-top shape in just a few weeks through a rigorous diet and exercise routine in order to make the final cut was a lot tougher.
“They’re looking for people who are physically fit,” said Peters. “You don’t have to be a bodybuilder, but you definitely have to be in good shape.”
Peters applied for a spot on the calendar after Martensville Deputy Fire Chief James Taylor suggested members of the department consider taking the plunge.
“I got accepted as a candidate on January 25, and between that date and April 25, when they chose the final 12 people in a selection night event in Regina, I went on a strict calorie-deficit diet under the guidance of a professional coach, who donated his time,” said Peters.
“I had an exercise workout plan and strict meal plans, and I stuck to them,” he added. “Over those three months I lost 24 pounds, which is fairly substantial. Since then, I’ve put some of those pounds back on, but I’m in much better shape both physically and mentally.”
Peters said the healthy diet and exercise benefited everyone in the family.
“It gave me a better appreciation of what I’m putting in my body,” said Peters. “Everyone in our household benefited. My wife went on the same plan as me, and she’s in great shape. She’s putting me to shame.”
Loyns said he also benefited from the three-month “fitness journey” last spring prior to being selected for the calendar.
“Before I even signed up, I had lost 40 pounds,” said Loyns. “But I still had to lose another 25 pounds – most of it was belly fat, which is tough to eliminate. I stuck to the calorie-deficit diet and worked out three or four times a week in my home gym for about an hour and a half each time.”
Loyns said he felt “ecstatic” when he was notified last spring that he was one of 17 finalists, but conceded he wasn’t keen on walking out on stage – shirtless – in front of hundreds of people at the Brandt Centre during the final selection night on April 25 when the audience voted for their favourites.
“I’ve been at fires and collisions that have been pretty bad,” said Loyns. “But we’re trained and prepared for those types of situations. On the other hand, stepping out in front of all those people was very intimidating. I was extremely nervous.”
Peters confirmed appearing on stage shirtless was never on his bucket list.
“But there were 16 other firefighters all in the same situation, so that helped,” he said. “And once we got rolling, it turned out to be a good experience, and anyway, it was all for a good cause.”
Peters noted that three of the finalists were female firefighters. Two women made the final cut for the calendar.
“That really shows the public that women are firefighters too,” said Peters. “It’s not just men.”
Peters said the experience also gave him a greater appreciation for the work that health care professionals do at the children’s hospital.
“Before this, we didn’t have any real tie with the hospital,” he said. “We don’t have any heartwarming story to tell about kids that needed care there. But I realize now how important it is, and I’m glad I had an opportunity to give back to the community in a way that helps out.
“And also, it’s kind of cool to have a photo of myself in this calendar. Some day my grandchildren might look at it and say, ‘Holy cow, that’s grandpa?’ ”