When Chief Gerard Washington arrived in Vista, California, one thing stood out right away.
The support.
Support from city leaders who trust their fire department to pursue new ideas to take care of their men and women — and their families.
Support from a community that respects and values the firefighters who protect it.
After nearly three decades in the fire service, Washington didn’t take that lightly.
“The one thing that jumped out with Vista is community,” said Washington, who relocated to California after three decades in Milwaukee. “Just that support. I mean, it’s amazing.”
Washington never expected to leave the Midwest, happy to retire there at the end of a long, successful career. Then the opportunity arrived to pursue the Fire Chief job in Vista, a San Diego suburb where winters are just a bit warmer than Wisconsin. It didn’t take long for him and his wife, Renée, to realize this was a chance they could not pass up.
And we won’t pass up the opportunity to help the Chief bring to fruition more of the innovative efforts he’s championing in Vista.
Throughout April, Fire Department Coffee is proud to partner with Vista Fire Rescue through our Fire Department Coffee Club and Fire Department Shirt Club. With the Coffee Club, $2 from every bag purchased or subscription supports Vista Fire Rescue. Meanwhile, $5 from every shirt does the same.
Together, those contributions help strengthen health and wellness initiatives that support Vista firefighters and their families.
For Chief Washington, having his firefighters’ backs means looking at the job in its entirety.
The physical toll.
The mental stress.
The long-term health risks.
“When I talk about health and wellness,” Washington said, “it’s all-encompassing.”
Washington came to Vista with big ideas, and he’s been given green lights every step of the way.
The department has partnered with organizations like Ready Rebound, which helps firefighters navigate medical treatment and recovery after injuries. In a time where quality care can be hard to come by — and even harder to afford — this program connects firefighters with the top medical professionals around.
From Memphis to Madison and Austin to New Orleans, major departments across the country are taking advantage of this innovative program. Cal Fire, the largest department in the state, is also on board.
“We’re getting injured firefighters back to work,” Washington said. “They’re 100 percent and ready to go.”
He has also incorporated the Sharp Performance program, led by a team of Special Operations veterans, sports psychologists, and performance experts. Their tailored coaching is dedicated to building resilient firefighters, helping them perform at their best, mentally and physically.
Cancer prevention has also become a major focus.
Like departments across the country, firefighters in Vista face elevated cancer risks due to occupational exposure. That reality became especially personal after the department recently lost two former firefighters to cancer.
After losing her husband to occupational melanoma, one firefighter’s spouse co-founded a nonprofit foundation in his memory and has since dedicated herself to organizing cancer screenings and providing support for firefighters and their families across the region.
Hundreds of firefighters were screened. The results were eye-opening.
Nearly half were advised to follow up with their physicians.
“Yeah, almost half,” Washington said. “I was floored.”
Early detection can make the difference between a manageable diagnosis and something far worse. Programs like these help firefighters identify health concerns sooner and take action before it’s too late.
The department’s approach reflects a broader philosophy that Washington has emphasized since arriving in Vista.
Take care of the people who take care of the community.
That philosophy shows up everywhere — even on the Chief’s vehicle.
To be more recognizable on the roads, Washington recently had his new vehicle wrapped in the same colors as a fire engine, featuring Vista Fire Rescue’s logo and a simple message printed on the sides: “How can we help?”
It’s a question the department asks the community every day.
Fueled by Pride
The design on this month’s Fire Department Coffee Club bag and Shirt Club shirt reflects that connection between department and community.
At the center of the artwork is a historic Kenworth fire engine, an antique apparatus that is still used in parades and special events, helping firefighters connect with the people they serve.
Behind it in the design stands the iconic Vista arch, a gateway landmark that welcomes visitors to the city. Palm trees frame the scene, capturing the iconic Southern California landscape.
Together, the elements celebrate the history, identity, and pride of Vista Fire Rescue.
The message beneath it all says it plainly.
Fueled by Pride.
You’ll be proud to wear it on your back. And you’ll be proud to drink this month’s featured roast. Crafted with premium coffee beans from Colombia and Ethiopia, this roast delivers vibrant notes of lemon, raspberry, and milk chocolate in every sip.
You can also enjoy the roast, knowing that the firefighters of Vista are grateful for your support, the same way they are grateful for the support of their community and their department.
Every bag of coffee brewed and every shirt worn this month is a gift you’re giving these firefighters.
Helping them recover.
Helping them stay healthy.
Helping them protect their neighbors in moments of need.
So take this opportunity to purchase the Fire Department Clubs today.
Raise your coffee mug to our brothers and sisters in Vista.
Wear the shirt proudly.
Let their pride fuel you, too.
