Local fireman doesn’t have to fear repercussions for calendar appearance

It wasn't a problem for Las Vegas firefighter Chris Stiles to bare his chest for charity in the first-ever national fireman's calendar. His department and union support him.

But the calendar sparked controversy in Philadelphia, where firefighter Jack Slivinski committed suicide shortly after being reprimanded for a photo shoot with beefcake charity calendar Nation's Bravest.

Slivinski received permission from his union to participate in the calender, which will support its Local 22's Widows Fund and 11 other charities across the nation. Unlike in other cities where union presidents notified department administration, that didn't happen in Philadelphia. Department officials reassigned Slivinski from his post on an elite rescue squad for "unbecoming conduct," Katherine Kostreva, the calendar's publisher, said.

Although his position was reinstated because of the public outcry, Kostreva said Slivinski suffered from depression and killed himself on June 25, shortly after the controversy erupted.

"A lot of firefighters suffer from depression," said Kostreva, who dedicated the 2012 calendar to Slivinski. "It is not uncommon that they commit suicide.

"To me, whether they fall from suicide or in the line of duty, it's all the same; they're heroes who have fallen."

Kostreva said she did not run into problems in the other 11 cities featured in the calendar.

Jeff Rogers, captain of Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Station 4, said the department has no problem with a shirtless Stiles on the calendar that benefits the Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation.

The foundation often sponsors bachelor auctions or local calendars to raise money, he said, admitting he was part of one 10 years ago.

"It's something that the department supports as long as you act appropriately," Rogers said. "As far as I know, everybody is totally in support of him."

Contact Jessica Fryman at jfryman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4535.