Hats off

Sammamish Chamber of Commerce board member Barry Hartman was honored at a recent Eastside Fire and Rescue Board of Directors meeting for his work on photographing all of the agency’s firefighters in their uniforms.

“I am very honored that you would recognize me,” Hartman said. “It was my intention to honor the department. I know the value of photos. It’s my small way of saying ‘Thank you.’”

Hartman approached EF&R after noticing in many of the funerals for firefighters after 9-11 that firefighters didn’t have photos of themselves in uniform and instead used casual shots.

Hartman offered to shoot all of the EF&R firefighters in their uniforms, and mat them free of charge.

It took a great deal of time, but all the shots have now been completed.

Each station now has shots of each of its crews as well.

The photos can also be used on identification badges for the district.

Hartman is now shooting for Seattle Fire and Maple Valley fire departments.