If the firefighter on your list works 24-hour shifts, they eat at the station, sleep in a bunk room and spend most of the day on their feet. The gifts that get used fit that day: earplugs for the bunk room, cast iron for the station kitchen and slides to change into after the shift. Nine of the brands below also give first responders a discount, like 15% at Carhartt and 30% at YETI.
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One thing to know before you shop: the discount belongs to the firefighter, who verifies their own status through ID.me, GovX or the brand’s site. If you want the discount on a gift, send them the link and let them order it, or buy it at the regular price yourself. Prices change, so check the one on your screen before you pay.
For The Bunk Room And Recovery
Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs ($24.99)
A bunk room with a few people snoring and a radio that goes off at 3 a.m. is a hard place to sleep. The Loop Quiet 2 is $24.99 at Target, soft enough to sleep in and quick to pull out when the tones drop. Loop also has a first responder discount in some countries, which the firefighter can check on Loop’s discounts page.
Loop Dream Earplugs ($49.99)
For a side sleeper, the Loop Dream is Loop’s earplug built for sleep, and it’s $49.99 at Target. It’s the step up if they’ve tried foam earplugs and gave up on them.
OOFOS OOahh Slide ($59.95)
After a shift in boots, the OOFOS OOahh Slide is what they’ll want on their feet. It’s $59.95 at Zappos. OOFOS gives first responders 20% off and free shipping on orders over $75 through ID.me.
Theragun Relief Massage Gun ($159.99)
Hauling hose and climbing stairs in turnout gear leaves sore legs and shoulders. The Theragun Relief is Therabody’s simpler massage gun, $159.99 at Target. Therabody takes 20% off full-price products for first responders through ID.me, and it doesn’t combine with other promotions, so compare it with any sale price.
For The Station Kitchen And The Whole Crew
Fire Department Coffee ($11.99)
The coffee pot runs all shift. Fire Department Coffee gives part of what it makes back to firefighters, and its Original Medium Roast is $11.99, marked down from $15.99. A bag for the station is the easiest gift on this list.
Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet ($24.99)
Station kitchens are hard on cookware, and cast iron takes it. The Lodge 10.25 inch skillet comes preseasoned and is $24.99 at Target.
Lodge 5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven ($59.99)
For the firefighter who makes chili for the whole crew, the Lodge 5 quart Dutch oven is $59.99 at Target and comes with its lid.
Igloo Latitude 52 Quart Cooler ($39.99)
A cooler gets used at the station, at the cookout and on the tailgate. The Igloo Latitude 52 quart holds 85 cans and is $39.99 at Target.
YETI Roadie 24 Hard Cooler ($250)
If you want the cooler that lasts, the YETI Roadie 24 is $250 at Sportsman’s Warehouse. YETI is taking 30% off eligible gear for first responders through ID.me right now, up from its usual 20%, so it’s worth having the firefighter order this one from YETI themselves.
Blackstone 28 Inch Omnivore Griddle ($279.99)
A flat top feeds a whole shift at once. The Blackstone 28 inch Omnivore Griddle is $279.99 at Target, and it makes a good gift from a family or a few crews going in together. Blackstone has a discount on its own site for first responders, including fire, law enforcement and EMS, through GovX ID. It doesn’t say how much, so the firefighter finds out when they verify.
For Every Day And Off Duty
YETI Rambler 20 Oz Tumbler ($28 To $40)
The YETI Rambler 20 oz with the MagSlider lid keeps coffee hot through a call and back. It’s $35 to $40 depending on the color, and Sportsman’s Warehouse has some colors on sale from $28. The firefighter’s ID.me discount at YETI works on eligible gear too.
Stanley Classic Legendary Bottle, 1.5 Quart ($45)
Stanley’s 1.5 quart Classic Legendary Bottle holds enough coffee to share, and it’s $45 at Stanley. Stanley gives first responders 20% off through ID.me, but not on sale, clearance or customized items.
Darn Tough Merino Wool Boot Socks ($30)
Good socks are a real gift for someone in boots all day. The Darn Tough full cushion boot socks are $30 a pair at Zappos. Darn Tough gives police, fire and EMT an exclusive discount once they verify on its own discount page.
Carhartt Rain Defender Heavyweight Sweatshirt ($69.99)
The off-duty hoodie that gets worn until it falls apart. The Carhartt Rain Defender heavyweight sweatshirt is $69.99 at Zappos. Carhartt takes 15% off for first responders through ID.me.
Oakley Fuel Cell Polarized Sunglasses ($192)
The Oakley Fuel Cell Polarized is $192 at Zappos. This is the one to let the firefighter buy: Oakley Standard Issue gives first responders up to 50% off select styles, plus an extra 15% and free shipping, through ID.me.
Tools And Lights
These are personal picks, not duty gear. A department issues what it wants on the fireground, so a light or a multitool from you is one they carry in a pocket or keep in the truck.
Streamlight Stylus Pro Penlight ($32.99)
A penlight lives in a shirt pocket and gets used every day. The Streamlight Stylus Pro is $32.99 at Sportsman’s Warehouse.
Streamlight ProTac 2L-X Flashlight ($79.99)
For something brighter that still fits a pocket, the Streamlight ProTac 2L-X is $79.99 at Sportsman’s Warehouse.
Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool ($103.99)
The Leatherman Wave+ is on sale at Sportsman’s Warehouse for $103.99, down from $129.99. Leatherman gives first responders 20% off eligible multi-tools on its own site through VerifyPass, with one code every 365 days, so if they’ve had their eye on a different Leatherman, that’s the one to save the code for.
Maltese Cross And Personalized
Engraved Maltese Cross Pilsner Tumbler ($21.95)
Fire Department Clothing’s 20 oz pilsner tumbler is laser engraved with a Maltese cross, and you fill in the text across the top and bottom with their department name, engine or ladder number. It’s $21.95, and you can order just one. Engraved gifts take longer than regular shipping, so order these first.
What Not To Buy Without Asking
Skip anything they’d wear or use on a fire: helmets, gloves, hoods, boots and turnout gear. Departments usually issue it or set the standard it has to meet, and a gift that doesn’t meet them sits in a closet. If they’ve been talking about a specific piece of gear, ask what model the department allows before you buy it.
Q&A
Q: Can I use their first responder discount to buy them a gift?
A: Not on your own. The firefighter verifies through ID.me, GovX or the brand’s site, so the easiest way is to send them the link and let them order it. Carhartt, OOFOS, Stanley, Therabody and YETI all run through ID.me.
Q: What’s a good gift for the whole station?
A: Something for the kitchen. A bag of Fire Department Coffee, a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, or the Blackstone griddle if a few people go in on it together.
Q: What should I get a new firefighter?
A: Something for the bunk room and the drive home: the Loop earplugs, the OOFOS slides and a YETI tumbler. Leave the gear to the department.
More Information:
Prices and discounts change, so check the total on your screen before you pay. For every brand that gives firefighters a discount, see our firefighter discounts page, and for more gift brands, see 45 gift brands with a first responder discount.