As many of you know, the fire season this year in California has been unprecedented. Lives and property lost, the landscape altered forever. Redondo Beach Fire Station One is a few blocks from my apartment. I remember a few weeks ago, I drove by wondering if any of the local first responders had been called to assist in the battles. Today, I was able to talk to a few of them and indeed they had been called and served. 48 hour shifts. Hard to imagine under any circumstances, let alone with heat, wind and life threatening flames. There was a group of firemen standing outside ‘The House’ as they call it. As I approached, camera in hand, there was skepticism on their faces. I was about to step into their ‘front yard’, the driveway the fire engines traverse when called for. I immediately realized the contrast between me, a ‘citizen’ and them: a culture of elite public servants, not always feeling appreciated until needed. Permission for a photographic exploration was granted. Shooting Engine Sixty One was a conscious choice, and I set aside normal considerations of lighting. This was not about me and my craft. I went exploring, determined to find a worthy image, with the underlying theme of service and sacrifice. I explored several options and settled on the symmetry of this image. It represents strength, determination and commitment. It is said that fire trucks were originally painted red because that was the cheapest color of paint. The contribution of the men and women who accompany these vehicles is anything but cheap.