For our debut in front of the Fresno audience, it was important to us that our cover capture and demonstrate the essence of our publication. For our magazine, devoted to the lives, efforts, and accomplishments of our local heroes, a multi-agency shot was a foregone conclusion. Members of Fresno city’s fire department, police department, and medics from American Ambulance of Fresno showed up in uniform with patience, cooperation, and excitement for the task at hand: creating a scene that exemplifies the collaboration of effort put forth by our public safety officers on a daily basis. Although our scene was staged, these are not actors, folks. They are the real deal—people who seek diligently to protect our streets, our families, and our community as a whole.

Location: A set straight from the likes of an authentic movie production, we met our cover “models” at the Fresno Airport at Fresno Police Department’s Sky Watch headquarters. With the big guns in tow, the fire department showed up with almost every fire engine variation imaginable. As photographer David Swann orchestrated the set up of vehicles, it was as though he was directing a true Hollywood blockbuster. With his strategic placement of the machines in the background, these enormous props elevated the scene to an entirely new level.

Talent (from left to right): Officer Dominic Alvarado; Firefighter Engineer Chris Dow; Firefighter Jeremiah Smith; Captain Oscar Betancourt; EMT Kelly Romine; Paramedic Supervisor Hal Fielding; Officer Mark Gacayan. (In helicopter): Police Pilot Jason M. Serrano; Tactical Flight Officer Skye Liebee.

That’s a Wrap: Although we’d captured the image, the mission to complete our shot was far from over. Photo stylist, and wife of photographer David Swann, Susan Thompson devoted hours of her blood, sweat, and tears during post-production to the completion of the final image that rests on this cover. Without the talent and hard work so graciously provided by David and Susan, our piece of art would never have been possible. We hope you’ll enjoy future covers provided by this team; they are each remarkably talented.