The FIRE DEPT COFFEE Crew Chooses Their Favorite Roasts
Literally seconds after Fire Dept Coffee landed on the GovX digital store shelves, the orders started coming in. Since going live, FDC has been shipping out orders to GovX customers nationwide, and our staff members have been ordering their fair share too. (I'm speaking for myself here, but a morning without Fire Dept Coffee's Bourbon-Infused Medium Roast is no morning at all.)
You've had the coffee. Now meet the crew. Here's the rundown on six coffee-slinging members of the FDC team:
BRENT (AKA Firefighter Fenton)
Firefighter / Content Creator
Fire Department Coffee is so much more than a brand or a coffee company, it is a family. A very caffeinated family.
BRENT (AKA Firefighter Fenton)
Firefighter / Content Creator
BACKGROUND
I've been a content creator since 2010, starting with a parody music video that highlighted some of the monotonous calls we firefighters often experience. I've continued to produce comedic content that offers firefighters and first responders a laugh and reprieve from some of the serious and often tragic things we encounter on a regular basis. I have found that this really has had an amazing positive influence on my own as well as my followers' mental health.
ROLE ON THE TEAM
I joined the FDC team in 2021 as a brand ambassador and content creator. I have the unique opportunity to introduce my larger-than-life Firefighter Fenton character to the Fire Dept Coffee family. It has been an amazing journey with a ton of laughs along the way, and I am looking forward to the projects we have coming next. Fire Department Coffee is so much more than a brand or a coffee company, it is a family. A very caffeinated family. And we want you all to be a part of it.
WHEN I'M NOT MAKING PEOPLE LAUGH
I have been a firefighter/paramedic for the last 18 years in Phoenix, Arizona. When I’m not creating content or working at the fire department, I spend time with my family. My wife and I have been married for 11 years and we have four children—two boys and two girls. In my spare time I enjoy playing guitar and singing with my wife, hanging with family and friends, camping, fishing, and being active in our church.
HOW I TAKE MY COFFEE
I don’t know if this is because I come from a family of law enforcement—my father is retired veteran of 26 years with Phoenix PD, as well as two of his brothers—but my favorite coffee is the Donut Shop blend. I prefer my coffee hot. It brings me comfort … is that weird?
DAVE
Retired Firefighter – Chief Coffee Roaster
BACKGROUND
I'm a retired firefighter. I entered the service in 1976. After joining the Roberts Park Fire Department with some friends, I decided to make it my career. In 1978, I became a full-time firefighter paramedic for the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District in Illinois. I remained at LWFD for 30 years retiring at the rank of Fire Captain on a ladder company. During that time I was a part-time firefighter for the Belmont Fire District until they disbanded and was absorbed by another fire department. I was a volunteer for the Pearl City Fire District where I was the training officer. I left PCFD just before I moved to Rockford.
ROLE ON THE TEAM
I am the Chief Coffee Roaster, so my job is to form the roasting plan each day according to what coffee is needed. The inventory we have on hand plus what coffee has been ordered gives me the direction I need to go. I use two roasters here at FDC. One is a 90-kilo roaster and the other a 30-kilo. I've been with the team since March of 2017, which means I started out using our little 5 kilo roaster.
WHEN I'M NOT SHIPPING INCREDIBLE COFFEE
I paint original oil paintings. I enjoy model trains. And I play the Great Highland bagpipes. I've been married for 39 years … despite the fact that I play the Great Highland bagpipes.
HOW I TAKE MY COFFEE
I'm a simple type of guy. I enjoy our Original Medium Roast with a little cream added. I use a French press to brew my coffee, but I recently purchased a V60 Coffee Server for some fancier pour-overs.
DAVE
Retired Firefighter – Chief Coffee Roaster
I play the Great Highland bagpipes. I've been married for 39 years … despite the fact that I play the Great Highland bagpipes.
JACOB
Licensed Q Grader – Director of Coffee
The best thing about coffee is how you can brew it in a million different ways. It keeps things interesting.
JACOB
Licensed Q Grader – Director of Coffee
BACKGROUND
I've been in the coffee industry for 10 years. I've worn so many different hats. I was a barista, a coffee taster, and a head roaster. I've helped set up and run cafes, and trained countless people in the art of brewing and tasting coffee. I've developed new roast programs at new companies, visited in producers in countries around the world. And even though I've seen or experienced almost every part of the coffee industry, I continue to learn new things every day.
ROLE ON THE TEAM
I've been with the team for two years, and I work with Chief Roaster Dave to ensure the quality and consistency of Fire Dept Coffee. I develop new coffee blends to release, source new raw coffees from around the world, and I work to create the most efficient roasting facility possible.
HOW I TAKE MY COFFEE
I'll always enjoy the Original Medium Blend, but honestly, I love coffee in any shape or form. From straight espresso to an iced coffee with cream and sugar. The best thing about coffee is how you can brew it in a million different ways. That's why I'm always experimenting with new brew methods and recipes. It keeps things interesting.
KATI
Army Veteran – Shipping Manager
BACKGROUND
I spent six years in the Army as a 68W Combat Medic. I've done two deployments to Afghanistan—once as a soldier, and the other as a civilian contractor working as a flight medic. My husband is on year 17 of his Army career. We recently just bought our first house in Winnebago, just outside of Fire Dept Coffee's hometown—and my hometown—of Rockford, Illinois.
ROLE ON THE TEAM
I'm the shipping manager here at FDC, so I'm responsible for overseeing operations at our fulfillment center. I manage inventory, and I make sure our team gets everyone's order out the door. I even put training plans together for every new person who joins our team!
WHEN I'M NOT SHIPPING INCREDIBLE COFFEE
When I'm not at work, I'm spending time with my family. Hitting a comic book shop on the weekend with my son is a must. And my daughter loves a good girl's day out—for a 4-year-old, she sure can hold her own at the mall.
HOW I TAKE MY COFFEE
My absolute favorite is the Shellback Espresso. I prefer my coffee dark, with just a little bit of half-and-half creamer. Hot, or iced. Doesn't matter, as long as it's Shellback.
KATI
Army Veteran – Shipping Manager
my daughter loves a good girl's day out—for a 4-year-old, she sure can hold her own at the mall.
RANDY
Firefighter / Coffee Logistics Expert
Firehouse stories and traditions start around the kitchen table with a pot of coffee, and it's awesome to consider that many of those stories might start around one of our coffees.
RANDY
Firefighter / Coffee Logistics Expert
BACKGROUND
My full-time gig is a firefighter/paramedic, and I've been proudly doing it for over 20 years. Coffee has been part of that career since day one. Firehouse stories and traditions start around the kitchen table with a pot of coffee, and it's awesome to consider that many of those stories might start around one of our coffees. Like many others involved in public service, coffee becomes an integral part of the day. The best part of working here has been traveling to events around the country, seeing how our coffee is appreciated by our customers.
ROLE ON THE TEAM
I'm on the logistics side of FDC. That means I do whatever needs to be done on any particular day. That could mean I'm on the production team in the roastery, helping them get a new coffee across the finish line. Another day I could be working in the shipping department when there's a sharp spike of orders after we release a new roast. I enjoy helping wherever I'm needed.
HOW I TAKE MY COFFEE
I like a bold, dark cup of coffee, so my favorite roast is the Skull-Crushing Espresso. It's a great roast for a drip coffee maker, or if you're lucky enough to have an espresso machine—like we are—it makes for an amazing espresso. I usually drink it black. But here at FDC< we're always trying new roasts and flavors. As a coffee lover, it's perfect.
MADELINE
Customer Experience Manager
BACKGROUND
I have always loved helping people, which is why I'm grateful I get to do this every day. Not just by making sure our customers have a positive experience when they shop with us, but by being a part of a company that gives back to ill and injured firefighters. It makes me happy to know the work I'm doing directly impacts individuals and their families who may need assistance in difficult times.
ROLE ON THE TEAM
As your Customer Experience Manager, my job is making sure our customers have a positive experience with Fire Dept Coffee from start to finish. Whether it's interacting with our friendly customer service team, navigating our website, or anything in between, I want to make sure your process is enjoyable and easy. I've been with the team since June of 2020.
HOW I TAKE MY COFFEE
I have to go with the Dark Roast. When it's cold out, I love a classic cup of coffee with a little bit of cream and sugar. In the Summer, I love making cold brew with a French press. The cold brew process really brings out the flavor of the coffee.
MADELINE
Customer Experience Manager
It makes me happy to know the work I'm doing directly impacts individuals and their families who may need assistance in difficult times.