-Story by Devon MacKenzie Photography by Lia Crowe

Laid-back is how Oak Bay firefighter Jason Hodge describes his day-to-day look.

害羞草研究所淔or me, it害羞草研究所檚 mostly about function and comfort,害羞草研究所� explains the father of three.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 happiest and feel the most confident in a pair of jeans or Carhartts and a T-shirt. I find I spend a lot of time changing clothes with the kids around because we害羞草研究所檙e always getting into something,害羞草研究所� he laughs.

A Victoria native and Oak Bay High School grad, Jason works as a full-time firefighter with the Oak Bay Fire Department, and has served as the executive director for the Oak Bay Firefighters Charitable Foundation for the last four years.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e a 100 per cent non-profit foundation, and everything we raise is put back into the community,害羞草研究所� Jason explains. 害羞草研究所淚 was on the job for about two years when I decided to get on board. I really believe in my heart that it害羞草研究所檚 part of the job as a firefighter to give back to the community, and the best part is I have 25 other members of the department as helpers.害羞草研究所�

His day-to-day routine during his shifts consists of riding his bike in to the station, hitting his fitness routine, daily drills, daily maintenance checks of the vehicles and cleaning up around the station. Among their day-to-day activities, the firefighters also conduct building inspections around the municipality and, of course, respond to calls.

害羞草研究所淚 absolutely love my job and I feel very lucky that I got a job with Oak Bay,害羞草研究所� he says. 害羞草研究所淚 love the small-town feel and the tight-knit community. Everyone looks out for each other and it feels like a safe place to be.害羞草研究所�

Outside of work, Jason and his family have an active outdoor lifestyle.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e into sports, we love the outdoors and during the summer we like to get up for some boating and fishing at our cabin on Horne Lake. That害羞草研究所檚 why it害羞草研究所檚 important to me that my style encompasses function and comfort, because with our lifestyle, I don害羞草研究所檛 have a lot of time to fuss.害羞草研究所�

This winter, on January 4 and 5, Jason and other members of the foundation will be recycling Christmas trees by donation at the fire hall (1703 Monterey Avenue).

害羞草研究所淎ll the proceeds will go towards annual bursaries for Oak Bay High students, and anything above and beyond goes back into our other community initiatives,害羞草研究所� explains Jason.

For more information on the Oak Bay Firefighters Charitable Foundation and the causes it supports, visit .

Navy jacket by Barbour ($349) from W&J Wilson Ltd.; navy T-shirt (stylist害羞草研究所檚 own); jeans by 34 Heritage ($196) from .

害羞草研究所淢odern Melton害羞草研究所� men害羞草研究所檚 shirt in burnt ($189) by and from ; jeans by 34 Heritage ($196) from Citizen Clothing.

Grey crew ($98) and toque ($78) by Citizen Goods; jeans by 34 Heritage ($196), all from Citizen Clothing; blue canvas duffel bag ($150) by and from ANIAN.

Photographed on location at the Oak Bay Fire Department害羞草研究所檚 fire hall at 1703 Monterey Avenue.