The St. Louis Fire Sprinkler Alliance (STLFSA) is donating over 1,000 bags of coffee to be distributed to various fire departments in the metro area as a thank you to first responders.

Wally Miller, a former member of the St. Louis Fire Department and now Program Coordinator at the STLFSA, partnered with local company Dubuque Coffee to produce the coffee and deliver it to the various fire stations as a thank you for their service. “This was a way that we could show our gratitude for their continued hard work and dedication during these tough times,” said Miller. The first round of coffee went to all of the St. Louis firehouses. On Thursday, May 21, St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson was on hand to accept the donation.

The mission of the St. Louis Fire Sprinkler Alliance is to protect lives and property through the advancement of the fire sprinkler concept. The Alliance is comprised of contractor members of the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) working together for industry promotion. These fire protection contractors are located throughout the St. Louis metro area and are signatory to Local 268 Sprinkler Fitters. The STLFSA works closely with local fire departments and districts. Fire departments review sprinkler system plans and drawings, test installed systems, and enforce the codes regarding maintenance of the systems to be sure they will function when needed.

Dubuque Coffee President and Founder Charles Dubuque, a life-long St. Louis County resident, is among many local business owners who thought creatively how to help their communities and keep their employees working during the pandemic crisis by offering free home delivery of Dubuque Coffee. When he was approached by Miller, it was a natural progression.

The coffee is being delivered to the fire houses by Dubuque after being freshly ground and packed in St. Louis. Dubuque sources coffee beans from growing regions in Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya and Sumatra. In 2017 they were named Company of the Year by the Missouri Restaurant Association.

The St. Louis Fire Sprinkler Alliance is led by Richard Boyer of Boyer Fire Protection, Lou Grasse of Grasse & Associates, and Matt Coleman of Engineered Fire Protection.