Tower of the Plains: Standing Strong with Lincoln Fire & Rescue

On any given day in Lincoln, the tones drop more than 100 times — alerting firefighters to medical emergencies, fires, and crashes across Nebraska’s capital city.

More than 36,000 calls a year.

Sixteen stations.

Eight frontline medic units.

Three shifts covering a growing community that swells even larger on Husker game days.

The pace is real.

The expectations are high.

The responsibility never lets up.

This month, we’re proud to feature Lincoln Fire & Rescue through our Fire Department Coffee Club and the Fire Department Shirt Club.

Through the Coffee Club, $2 from every bag purchased or subscription supports Lincoln Fire & Rescue’s health and wellness initiatives. Through the Shirt Club, $5 from every shirt does the same.

The funds raised will help expand mental health education, bring in speakers and trainers, strengthening the wellness programming that supports firefighters throughout their careers.

“We are really focused on keeping our people healthy and safe throughout their career,” said MJ Lierman, a firefighter and public information officer at Lincoln Fire & Rescue. “That’s one of our main goals.”

Because answering the call is only part of the job.

Sustaining a career in it is something else entirely.

Strong for the Shift — Strong for the Career

This is a young department. More than half of Lincoln Fire & Rescue’s members are within their first five to ten years on the job.

That means decades of calls still ahead.

Medical emergencies.

Fires.

Moments that stay with you.

Lincoln Fire & Rescue has chosen to be proactive.

They’ve strengthened annual physicals. Each station maintains well-equipped fitness spaces. Wellness committees share daily workouts and health resources. Conversations around stress, PTSD, and long-term exposure risks are encouraged — not avoided.

“It used to be that firefighters were too ‘tough’ to talk about mental health,” Lierman said. “Just like it used to be ‘cool’ to come back looking dirty, covered in soot and carcinogens. Now, we know better.”

The department has supported members who needed specialized treatment. They’ve worked quietly to connect firefighters with resources when needed. And they’re actively seeking additional education and outside speakers to strengthen their programs — resources that don’t always fit neatly into a municipal budget.

“We’re working on making sure everybody feels safe and encouraged to talk about it,” MJ said.

Lincoln Fire & Rescue strives to be an example and a leader among the Nebraska firefighter community. Lierman stressed that this month’s collaboration is about more than spotlighting Lincoln Fire & Rescue. It’s about shining a light on first responders across the state.

The department is also recognized as a Lighthouse Community by the Resuscitation Academy — one of only a handful nationwide. The department works to educate other agencies across the Midwest on the latest tools and best practices for CPR and cardiac response among first responders and their communities.

Their goal is always to increase survival rates, and Lincoln Fire Rescue’s cardiac survival rates are nearly twice the national average. Last year alone, they recorded 24 cardiac saves.

That’s twenty-four families who got more time.

The department is also home to Nebraska Task Force One, one of 28 FEMA Urban Search & Rescue teams in the nation. It’s a Nebraska resource, drawing firefighters from across the state who maintain certifications and stand ready to deploy when disaster strikes.

“It’s people helping people,” MJ said. “Bottom line.”

That mindset carries into everything they do — including how they take care of their own.

The funds raised through this month’s collaboration will stay focused on that mission: expanding mental health education, strengthening preventative wellness initiatives, and ensuring firefighters have tools and resources to support long, healthy careers.

Not just for today’s shift.

For the long haul.

Nebraska Proud

The design featured on this month’s Coffee Club bag and Shirt Club shirt reflects the pride of Nebraska.

The Lincoln Capitol — known as the “Tower of the Plains” — anchors the artwork, symbolizing steadiness and public service at the heart of the city.

Abraham Lincoln, reborn as a modern-day firefighter, stands ready, a nod to the city’s namesake and to the grit required to do this work well. The background draws inspiration from the city flag, tying the design directly to the community these firefighters serve every day.

It’s strong.

It’s proud.

It represents all of Nebraska.

Featuring the same design as the shirt, this exclusive medium roast coffee for March is crafted with premium beans from Venezuela and Colombia, with rich notes of lemon, baker’s chocolate, and molasses.

More than a great cup of coffee, it’s a meaningful way to support the men and women who serve the city of Lincoln, Nebraska, every single day.

With every cup poured and every shirt worn, we’re helping strengthen Lincoln Fire & Rescue’s health and wellness efforts.

From the capital city to fire stations across Nebraska, we’re honored to stand with Lincoln Fire & Rescue this March.

And we’re grateful for everyone who makes that support possible.