Firefighter Support

It was November 2020.

Boston firefighter Dan Ranahan had a cough, a fever, and a newborn at home. Naturally, he and his wife suspected he’d contracted COVID and began taking all the precautions.

Yet the COVID test at the doctor's office was negative. His symptoms didn’t improve. Within two weeks, he knew why.

At age 30, Ranahan was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma, and his battle began.

Ranahan’s story is one of struggle and triumph, and it’s not entirely over. But he made it this far because his brothers and sisters at the Boston Fire Department rallied around him.

He chose to repay their kindness by paying it forward again and again. In 2021, Ranahan founded the Boston Fire Cancer Foundation to support any Boston firefighter facing a job-related cancer diagnosis. 

In March, Fire Department Coffee and our customers will honor Ranahan’s fight and his mission of helping others by making the Boston Fire Cancer Foundation the beneficiary of all funds raised in March through our Fire Dept. Coffee Club and Fire Dept. Shirt Club.

For every Fire Dept. Coffee Club subscription or individual purchase, we’ll give the foundation $2. For every Fire Dept. Shirt Club subscription or individual shirt purchased, the foundation will receive $5.

March is a big month in Boston, a town with a proud Irish heritage, and the excitement peaks with the massive St. Patrick’s Day parade. Our coffee and our shirt design celebrate the fervor with an Irish Cream coffee that’s naturally flavored that we’ve dubbed “Luck’s Got Nothing to Do With It.”

The foundation has the full support of Boston Firefighters and the more than 3,500 active and retired firefighters it represents.

“Just riding on Danny’s coattails and all the great work that he’s done,” Union president Sam Dillon said. “Cancer is indiscriminate, but when we started to take a hard look at it, we realized it was discriminating against Boston firefighters and our families. Anything we can do to support these initiatives, we’re 100% behind.”

‘The Cancer Journey Was a Whirlwind’

When Ranahan’s cough and fever still lingered two weeks after his negative COVID test, doctors ordered a chest X-ray. When the results came in, they called and told him to go in for a CT scan, which revealed a mass the size of a coconut in his chest.

Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, which is part of your body's immune system.

Over the next two weeks, the cancer spread from his chest cavity all the way to his kneecaps. He had a biopsy on a Tuesday — stage 4 — and he began chemotherapy on Thursday.

“You always hear it’s going to happen — on this job, especially,” he said. “You never expect it at 30 years old to have your life flash before your eyes.”

Ranahan has worked for Ladder 4 in Roxbury for 10 years, and he is deeply embedded in the Boston Fire Department family. His father is a firefighter. His brother, too.

When he was diagnosed, the firefighting community came to his rescue, supporting him and his family in every way possible.

“The cancer journey was a whirlwind,” Ranahan said. “The support I received from this job was incredible. People were shoveling snow, helping my wife with anything she needed. It made such a huge difference, especially with the newborn.”

Ranahan completed his final chemotherapy treatment in 2021, and the department made a massive celebration out of it. They brought apparatus from the station outside the window of his treatment room. Sirens wailed, lights flashed. When we made his way home, it was a regular parade down his street.

Later, when reflecting on the incredible support he’d received, Ranahan and his wife couldn’t help but think about another firefighter with cancer. He was a new firefighter, and he didn’t have the same ties to the department or years-long friendships within the first responder community. That firefighter was supported by the department, but there was no mistaking that he didn’t receive the same level of attention that Ranahan received.

So the Ranahans made the decision to create the Boston Firefighter Cancer Foundation with the goal of ensuring that any Boston firefighter facing the same type of battle that he faced could expect the same type of support he received.

Today, Ranahan is in remission yet the effects of chemotherapy have affected his heart and lungs to the point where he hasn’t been able to return to work. Meanwhile, six Boston firefighters are waging their fight against cancer. They have the full support of the foundation.

“We started raising money to take any daily stresser away from anyone — transportation, meals, financial support,” Ranahan said. “We’ve found every little bit is helping. We’ve also developed a partnership with Dana Farber Cancer Institute, which gives our firefighters fast access to world-class care.”

‘This is All About the Fight’

Boston is a fighting city. And we mean that in the best way possible.

The city — and especially the Boston Fire Department — is made up of tough men and women who stand up for each other. For all the talk about the “luck of the Irish,” the reality is that tough people make their own luck whenever possible.

So, as we thought about how to capture the spirit of the Boston Fire Department for March’s Fire Dept. Coffee Club and Fire Dept. Shirt Club, we kept coming back to that reality.

The result is “Luck’s Got Nothing to Do With It,” and we tapped into the Irish heritage and the fighting spirit that is celebrated across Boston throughout March and all year long. 

The Irish Cream coffee packs a punch like a Boston Jake, the local nickname for city firefighters. It’s naturally flavored with smooth, sweet vanilla and hints of caramel in every sip. The design on the bag depicts a Boston firefighter, shirtless but sporting a firefighter’s helmet and a pair of boxing gloves. He’s surrounded by shamrocks, and we threw in an FDC tattoo on his chest for good measure.

The same design is sprawled big and bold across the back of the green T-shirt, while the Boston Fire Department logo adorns the shirt’s front breast.

So, if you make it to Boston for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year, you’re likely going to see this shirt. Raise your mug to the men or women you see wearing it. They’re in the fight. 

The easiest way to join them is to join the Fire Dept. Coffee Club or the Fire Dept. Shirt Club.

“This is all about the fight. We’re not taking it easy, and we’re not hanging back while people get sick,” Dillon said. “This rowdy bunch of Boston firefighters got together, and we’re fighting cancer.”

Update: Your Support Makes a Difference

Thanks to your support we were able to donate $6,863 to the Boston Firefighter Cancer Foundation. This donation will help Boston firefighters get the support they need while battling cancer. We are grateful for your unwavering support and honored to make this meaningful contribution.

Every day that a firefighter arrives for work could be the day that changes their life forever.

In the fire service, stress is a daily consideration. It’s the nature of any job on the crew because every job demands focus, vigilance, and attention to detail. Stress can do enough damage.

On the next level is something more severe — trauma. The most serious calls are life-or-death scenarios. Even when the outcome is a best-case scenario, those calls leave their mark and can linger in a firefighter’s psyche for a long time to come.

That’s why forward-thinking departments like the Denver Fire Department take a proactive approach to resiliency and emotional wellness. It’s why we’re so proud to partner with them as the beneficiary of all funds raised through our February Fire Dept. Coffee Club and Fire Dept. Shirt Club.

Throughout February, each bag of coffee purchased from the Fire Dept. Coffee Club we will give back $2. With each shirt purchased from the Fire Dept. Shirt Club, we will give back $5. In the end, thanks to your support, the Denver Fire Department will have more resources to enhance its wellness program and give back to its firefighters and other members of the team.

So we’re excited to introduce the “Comin’ in Hot” design and the High-Elevation Blend, an incredible new custom roast and one of our favorite designs yet. 

Or should we say yeti?

Denver Fire Department Covers a Lot of Ground

At the heart of the Mile High City, the Denver Fire Department stands as a pillar of strength and service. With a team comprising more than 1,109 firefighters and personnel, their commitment extends across nearly 155 square miles, reaching not only Denver but also neighboring cities such as Glendale, Skyline, Sheridan, and Englewood.

To cover this much ground, this dedicated department staffs 39 firehouses, including five that serve the busy Denver International Airport, ensuring the safety of travelers and our community.

Fire Dept. Coffee's journey with the Denver Fire Department began when we reached out to them, eager to collaborate and support their mission. 

Capt. JD Chism, the department's Public Information Officer, shared his appreciation for our work in promoting and entertaining the fire service. 

“I have seen a lot of the work FDC does to promote the fire service, and to entertain those of us working in the fire service,” Chism said. “I appreciate the work FDC has been doing and was excited to be a part of it.”

All funds raised in February will go to the Denver Fire Department Foundation, earmarked to benefit the resiliency efforts within the department’s Wellness Program.

Resilience and Wellness Are a 24/7 Priority

DFD Wellness is a comprehensive program that focuses on total wellness, addressing both physical and mental aspects, recognizing how every aspect of health impacts a firefighter’s ability to be at their best when the most serious calls come in.

A glimpse at what DFD Wellness offers:

One-on-One Services: Navigating the needs of members and connecting them to necessary resources.

"Reset" Program: Designed for members struggling with daily life and firehouse stressors, allowing a brief period to reset and refocus.

Resiliency Training: Provided to every academy class, preparing recruits for the stressful situations they will likely encounter throughout their careers in the fire service.

Mental Health Resource Expertise: Each firehouse is equipped with a binder outlining available resources and how to take advantage of them.

Peer Support, Chaplain Services: Offering emotional and spiritual assistance.

Crisis Intervention: Immediate assistance for firehouses experiencing traumatic events.

It starts with putting the infrastructure in place, and DFD has done an outstanding job of that. More importantly, they walk the walk. Their resiliency program has made a real and immediate impact in the lives of firefighters.

Recently, they supported two members to navigate the complex FMLA system and provided 30 days of in-patient mental health care at no cost to the member. In both cases, the in-patient program served its purpose, creating positive outcomes by empowering the members to take important steps to benefit their long-term mental health.

In another case, the crew of a DFD fire station had been struggling to handle the aftermath of a particularly challenging call. DFD Wellness dispatched key members of their team to visit the fire stations and meet with the crew collectively. They sat down with the crew for two hours to listen to their stories and then to educate them and help them navigate the resources available to help them cope with the traumatic event.

In such cases, trauma creates a unique journey for every firefighter based on their own unique experience of the event. 

“The entire crew was thankful and thought everything we provided was beneficial and useful for them moving forward,” Chism said. “It strengthened the bond between fire department members and the wellness team.”

A Firefighting Yeti and a Delicious Roast to Capture the Rocky Mountain Spirit

"Comin' In Hot" is more than just a coffee blend. It's a symbol of the courage and dedication embodied by the Denver Fire Department. Both the coffee bag and the T-shirt feature a fun and stylish design that draws on the mountain culture of the Denver region.

The design features the mythical yeti, reimagined as a fearless firefighting beast, descending a snowy mountain on a snowboard, flames trailing behind. Carrying a fire hose, this yeti represents the unstoppable commitment to extinguish fires and protect the community.

The coffee, dubbed High-Elevation Blend, is meticulously crafted from the finest Colombian and Guatemalan coffee beans. With each sip, you’ll experience an avalanche of delicious notes, including the bright zest of Meyer lemon, sweet undertones of brown sugar, a subtle tang of cherry, and the richness of dark chocolate.

How You Can Make a Difference

Every purchase of the Fire Dept. Coffee Club and the Fire Dept. Shirt Club in February contributes directly to the Denver Fire Department's resiliency program. By joining our clubs, you not only receive a new coffee or shirt each month but also play a vital role in supporting the well-being of the brave individuals who stand ready to protect and serve.

As we celebrate the Denver Fire Department this February, we extend our deepest gratitude to those who dedicate their lives to the safety and well-being of their community. So sip on the High-Elevation blend and wear the "Comin’ In Hot" yeti proudly on your shirt, knowing that your support directly contributes to the resilience and strength of the Denver Fire Department.

No firefighter has an easy job.

Every department asks its members to sacrifice and accept risks on behalf of the community it serves. Yet some departments, by necessity, ask a little bit more of their firefighters. 

Las Vegas is the perfect example.

At Fire Dept. Coffee, we’ve made it our mission to support sick or injured first responders. So we’re proud that funds raised in November through our Fire Dept. Coffee Club and Fire Dept. Shirt Club will support the Iron Joel Cancer Fund in Indianapolis.

The fire service is a family. There’s simply no other way to put it. But it’s a big family, a welcoming family. It’s the type of family that doesn’t just take care of their own — they take care of anyone who needs it. And this family will give all they can spare to give.

Fire Dept. Coffee finally has its own firetruck. And not just any truck. It’s a brand new, fully loaded Rosenbauer Avenger that will be ready to respond with humanitarian relief during emergencies and natural disasters.

We meet heroes everywhere we go. The best part about being the official coffee of the NHRA is that it gives us the opportunity to travel the country meeting and celebrating exceptional first responders at each race location through our Community Hero Award.