MESA, AZ — Mesa firefighters pose in the new 2025 Firefighter Calendar to raise money for the Arizona-based organization Stop Our Stigma, or SOS.

The Arizona-based organization is dedicated to reducing the suicide rate among first responders.

“Over the past 50 years, we have taught the community to call 911 when they need help with anything. Whether it’s pediatric calls, child deaths, drownings, car accidents or suicides,” said Mesa Fire Capt. Dale Crogan. “We had a study done in 2017 by the University of Arizona that showed that first responders as a whole have a 39% higher risk of suicide here in the state of Arizona. Our goal is to reduce this percentage.”

The Firefighter Calendar is available now at Birdcall restaurants throughout the Valley for $15 and $10 will be donated to the SOS organization from each purchase. SOS not only educates first responders on how to manage stress and trauma related to their job, but also teaches family members how to identify depression and suicidal thoughts in their loved ones.

Brent Phillip, Birdcall’s marketing director, said: “We look at these local first responders, the EMTs, the firefighters, the paramedics, as everyday heroes and we asked ourselves, ‘Wow, is there a way to draw a little attention to what SOS is? TO DO?'”