Marissa GOULD, intern

Things heated up on Saturday when Glendale firefighters took to the catwalk to showcase Bloomingdale’s summer clothing line in the Glendale Galleria. Twenty-eight Glendale firefighters took to the runway that not only showcased the latest in summer fashions, but also raised funds for the Glendale Fire Foundation.

This was the first event for the Glendale Fire Foundation, a fairly new organization to the Glendale community. Foundation chairman Zaven Kazazian said the fashion show was “a great way to introduce the Foundation to [Glendale].” The Foundation raises money for the department for needed training, gear, equipment and the other necessities. To add to the Foundation’s coffers, 10% of all purchases from Bloomingdale’s on Saturday went to the Glendale Fire Foundation.

At the beginning of the fashion show, Kazazian, stepped up to the mic with the general association manager of the Glendale Galleria Deborah Herr, and the manager of Bloomingdale’s Mary McGreevy, to say a few words. All were pleased with the number of people who attended the event and McGreevy added that the fashion show was “the perfect combo of fashion and fundraising.”

Shoppers and supporters gathered around the runway on the second floor of the Galleria in front of Bloomingdale’s to check out the fashion show. Many shoppers who stopped by to see what the commotion was all about stayed for the rest of the show. Shoppers on the upper floors peered down to see local firefighting heroes strut their stuff on the runway. Cheers and applause echoed throughout the Galleria as each model showed off his  fashionable outfit. Not surprising, the firefighters were enjoying all the attention.

  Dan HOLM, Marissa GOULD