Local Fire Fighters Roasting Quality Coffee Beans for Fellow First Responders
Are you a coffee enthusiast? Want to lend a hand in assisting First Responders?
Both are possible with Fire Grounds Coffee.
Fire Grounds Coffee is made by firefighters who roast their own beans and distribute it free to first responders through donations.
When they first began travelling the Metroplex, their mobile Coffee Truck was a hit, providing fresh coffee to First Responders at various Fire Houses and police officers at various precincts.
Paul Clarke is a native Texan who was born and raised in McKinney. He graduated from McKinney High School. He enlisted in the Marines following graduation and rose to the rank of officer.
He planned his future during his downtime on a tour in Afghanistan. “I came up with the business plan while sitting around for a few hours each day with nothing to do.”
He had plenty of time to iron out the details during his nine-month deployment, and he hit the ground running upon his return.
He began his Firefighting career at Station 24, and quickly enlisted the assistance of two Air Force captains, a fellow Marine captain, his best friend, and his father, as well as Kyle Lund, a fellow Dallas resident and Fire Fighter at Station 38 in Oak Cliff, to launch the company. They roast their Colombian beans in an old Dixie Wax Paper Company factory in Tyler Station.
He now spends his time roasting coffee beans and promoting his coffee when he is not at the Fire Station. This is not your typical supermarket brew. Clarke is proud of his high-quality coffee with almond and caramel notes, “because regardless of how you roast it, that flavour variety will taste great.”
Currently, the Columbian Roast is available in six distinct flavours, including “Rescue Roast Light Roast” and “Bubba Roast Medium Roast.”
The concept’s video is available on the company’s Facebook page and serves as a lesson in how to have fun. For instance, Paul makes fun of himself, even offering to remove his shirt in order to attract more customers. This is quickly discouraged by his coworker and fellow firefighter.
Meanwhile, aside from the jokes, the company collaborates with local bakeries to provide fresh desserts to complement their locally roasted coffee. Additionally, Fire Grounds promotes them on Facebook: “Check out @the.butterfairy’s incredible pop tarts! These are available daily at the coffee shop. Strawberry, Amaretto Peach, Brown Sugar Cinnamon, and Cheese Guava are all available! They taste exactly as you’ve always desired pop tarts to.”
