When Firefighters Need Help: Grand Rapids Fire Department is Building a Stronger Support System

Firefighters spend their careers responding when others are facing the worst moments of their lives. Every emergency call, traumatic incident, and difficult loss leaves an impression, and over the course of a career, those experiences can take a significant toll on mental health.

Recognizing those challenges, the Grand Rapids Fire Department continues investing in programs that support the emotional well-being of its firefighters and their families. Department leaders believe that caring for firefighters is just as important as equipping them with the tools they need to serve the community.

This August, Fire Department Coffee is helping support that mission through our Fire Department Coffee Club and Fire Department Shirt Club collaborations featuring the Grand Rapids Fire Department.

Every Coffee Club subscription or purchase will donate $2 directly to the Grand Rapids Fire Department, and $5 from every Shirt Club subscription or purchase will help the department continue expanding its mental health and wellness initiatives for its firefighters.

Investing in the People Behind the Shield

For Captain Justin Steeby, firefighter wellness is an essential part of operational readiness.

"Firefighters are exposed to situations throughout their careers that most people will never experience," Steeby said. "Those experiences accumulate over time, and we have a responsibility to make sure our members have the resources they need before stress becomes a crisis."

The Grand Rapids Fire Department has spent years strengthening its wellness initiatives. Existing programs such as Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and peer support have provided firefighters with trusted resources following difficult incidents, while department leadership continues looking for additional ways to support members and their families.

One of the department's most significant investments has been bringing mental health professional Kerrie Murphy directly into the organization.

Murphy's connection to the fire service extends beyond her professional training. Her father and brother both served as firefighters, giving her firsthand insight into the unique culture and challenges of the profession. Today, she maintains office hours within the department, visits fire stations, rides along with crews, and provides confidential support to firefighters and their families.

"As responders, it's important to know you're talking with someone who understands our culture," Steeby said. "Kerrie grew up around the fire service, and that background allows her to connect with our members in a meaningful way."

Additional funding generated through the Fire Department Coffee partnership will help expand peer support training, wellness education, and other resources designed to build resilience throughout the department.

"The wellness budget has historically been one of the easiest areas to cut," Steeby said. "Support from the community allows us to continue investing in programs that help firefighters stay healthy—physically, mentally, and emotionally."

Rather than waiting until someone is struggling, the department's goal is to foster a culture where asking for help is viewed as a sign of professionalism and strength. By providing accessible resources and encouraging open conversations about mental health, the Grand Rapids Fire Department is working to ensure every firefighter knows they are never facing life's challenges alone.

Built for Rapid Response

Founded in 1850, the Grand Rapids Fire Department has grown alongside Michigan's second-largest city into one of the state's most respected fire departments. Mika said the department's approximately 230 firefighters operate from 12 stations, responding to more than 25,000 calls each year.

They also provide specialized operations throughout West Michigan, including hazardous materials, technical rescue, swiftwater rescue, and dive operations.

"If something is going on in West Michigan that has any complexity, we're gonna be there," Steeby said.

The department continues investing in the future as well. A new $46 million training center scheduled to open next year will feature a five-story live-fire training tower, multiple classrooms and regional training opportunities designed to serve firefighters throughout Michigan.

That same pride in the department — and in the city it protects — is reflected throughout this month's Fire Department Coffee Club selections. Coffee Club subscribers will receive an exclusive medium-roast blend crafted from premium coffee beans sourced from Colombia and Honduras, with distinct notes of caramel, lemon, and red apple in every sip.

On two special days in August, Fire Department Coffee's Rosenbauer America Rescue-1 fire truck will visit select Meijer stores in Grand Rapids to offer exclusive tasting events. If you're in Grand Rapids, here's where you can find them:

August 21, 2026
Meijer, Store 20, 2425 Alpine Ave., N.W. - 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Meijer, Store 311, 1540 28th Street S.E. - 12:45 PM – 2:45 PM
Meijer, Store 50, 5531 28th Street S.E. - 3:15 PM – 5:15 PM

August 22, 2026
Meijer, Bridge Street Market, 405 Seward Ave., N.W. – 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Meijer, Store 158, 1997 E. Beltline Ave. N.E. – 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Meijer, Store 312, 3757 Plainfield Ave. N.E. – 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

And as they enjoy the coffee, they're sure to love the design, which is also featured on this month's Shirt Club selection. Centered around the phrase "Built for Rapid Response," the design incorporates several landmarks and traditions that Grand Rapids residents know well. The iconic Calder sculpture anchors the artwork alongside the Grand River, whose rapids helped shape the city's history as a center for logging and furniture manufacturing. Fire service tools, a wood-grain Maltese Cross, and the department's founding year complete a design that tells the story of both the department and the community it serves.

For Steeby, the collaboration represents something much bigger than a bag of coffee or a commemorative t-shirt.

It's another opportunity to strengthen the people behind the department.

Because while firefighters will always answer the next call for help, they're also learning that taking care of one another is one of the most important calls they'll ever answer.