Meet the Firefighter, Veteran-Owned Brand Brewing Up Delicious Coffee and More

Fresh, delicious coffee is not necessarily a staple in firehouses around the country. Paul Clarke can attest to that. He found a caffeinated reason to elevate the coffee drinking experience for firefighters like himself by starting Fire Grounds Coffee Co., a fantastic brand to highlight for Veteran’s Day (soon to be on America’s new investment TV show, America’s Real Deal). 

Yet, initially, life put a temporary hold on his brilliant idea that came to him at 2 a.m. with sirens roaring and lights flashing. He was deployed to Iraq as a Marine officer and would spend the next nine months overseas. The specialty coffee business would have to wait until his return.

Today, Paul, along with co-founder, veteran, and fellow firefighter Kyle Lund, are brewing some fine cups of coffee with the brand that does so much to help others. Over 1,000 pounds of coffee have been donated to first responders and the goodness continues (for every five bags of coffee sold, one is donated to a first responder). The coffee selections are named for the comradery found in firehouses and police districts, such as Bubba Brew, Rescue Roast, Old Tige 5, and Back The Blue. 

Its Caffeinate-A-Station Program also allows anyone to purchase 5 lb. bags of coffee and donate straight to any fire station, police station, or hospital of their choice at a discounted price! 

It’s one thing to enjoy a great cup of coffee that’s roasted on demand. It’s also quite satisfying to know that the sale of this premium, 100% Colombian air-roasted coffee provides first responders with access to mental health resources and advocacy. 

Tackling more than the coffee business, the partners understand the mental challenges that go hand-in-hand with a first responder’s lifestyle. Their success in building a brand from the ground up (pardon the pun) has meaning beyond profitability – heroes deserve good coffee and so do you! They see it as their duty to give back to first responders that go out of their way to serve and protect and to let them know they’re appreciated. For Paul and Kyle, it’s personal as PTSD and suicide can affect anyone in our community, as they’ve witnessed firsthand.

“A huge part of what we do is our giving back,” says Paul. “We love giving coffee to first responders through our caffeinate-a-station program, but, more importantly, we are partnered with a nonprofit called Next Rung. Mental health is a huge issue amongst first responders and is often overlooked because it’s such a ‘macho’ job. Alcoholism, drug use, and suicide is rampant across all first responder jobs. We have had four members attempt to commit suicide within the last six months in my own department and two of them were successful. I was actually really close to one of them and it shocked everybody. So this issue is near and dear to my heart.” 

Next Rung provides counseling and resources anonymously across the nation to anyone who needs it. The brand shares the literature with every order, and they donate a portion of proceeds from its events to the non-profit.

A synopsis of what sets Fire Grounds apart from other coffee brand competitors:

• For every five bags of specialty coffee sold, one bag is donated to a first responder as a thank you to this valuable group of men and women whose heroism and commitment to serving and protecting our communities do not go unnoticed. 

• Six first responder-inspired coffee selections, with fun names such as Bubba Brew, Rescue Roast, Old Tige 5, and Back The Blue, to satisfy every coffee lover’s palette.

• Artisanal Coffee Pods for brewing made easy.

• Subscriptions so that great coffee is always on hand.

• Their Caffeinate-A-Station Program, where you purchase 5 lb. bags of coffee and donate straight to any fire station, police station, or hospital of your choice at a discounted price!

• The coffee also helps provide first responders with access to mental health resources and advocacy when needed as the brand partners with the nonproft, Next Rung.

For Veteran’s Day, I’d love to work together on a piece from this inspiring brand I love so much! Paul and Kyle, currently firefighters in Dallas, are media darlings and are happy to share their heartwarming story with your audience. Let’s make that happen and chat soon.

About Fire Grounds Coffee Co.:

Fire Grounds Coffee Co. is built on the belief that heroes deserve the best quality coffee. The company was founded by two U.S. veterans who now serve as firefighters and paramedics in the Dallas area and are all about putting first responders – first. For every five bags of specialty coffee sold, one bag is donated to a first responder as a thank you to this valuable group of men and women whose heroism and commitment to serving and protecting our communities do not go unnoticed. As for the coffee itself, what sets Fire Grounds apart from other premium craft coffee is that our coffee is air roasted on demand, per order, which means you get only the freshest brew possible with every cup. Follow us on Instagram @firegroundscoffeecompany.