They are heroes who work every day to save lives, to save property, and to keep us safe. But firefighters are people, too. They have the same needs as anyone for food, shelter, and some great gifts! Gifts for holidays, gifts for birthdays, gifts for just because. Another great time to hook your firefighter up is on International Firefighters’ Day. We’re sure you’ll find something that works perfectly on our list of the best firefighter gifts for Christmas:
If there’s anyone who deserves a really good night’s sleep, it’s a firefighter. The Teton Sports Mammoth Double Sleeping Bag is, obviously, roomy. It’s 94″x62″ so it will fit on the mattress at the station, but they won’t be hemmed in like a mummy. The bag is rated at zero degrees Fahrenheit, but that really shouldn’t be an issue (unless the city they serve is having trouble paying the power bill).
The shell is taffeta and the liner is brushed flannel. Zips on each side and the bottom for easy access and ventilation. It can also be unzipped and serve, in effect, as two blankets. Comes with a limited lifetime warranty and a storage bag and is offered in six different colors.
When the crew gets back to the station and it’s time to knock off for the night, it’s also a good time to catch up on some reading without bothering any bunkmates. The LuminoLite is a firefighter gift that allows him or her to do all of that. The LuminoLite doesn’t require batteries: it comes with a rechargeable li-ion battery that powers for 20 hours on a charge.
The light cast by the LuminoLite is designed to be easy on the eyes and there are two brightness levels. The light only weighs 2.1 ounces and features a clip for the book and an “infinitely flexible” (according to LuminoLite) neck.
A great companion to the LuminoLite and a story that firefighters will find fascinating. Author Timothy Egan is an award winning writer who relates the awful story of the biggest forest fire in history.
The 1910 episode is recounted by Egan through the eyes of those who witnessed it or fought the fire. It was through this event that President Roosevelt established the necessity to preserve public land. The book is available in paperback or hardcover.
This gift for firefighters is a necessity because the firefighter will occasionally change stations and our hero has to get “the stuff” from Station A (last week’s work location) to Station B (this week’s work location), and so on.
The Shacke Weekender Bag has a main chamber, an inner pouch and a side shoe pouch that fits up to size 13 shoes. You can pack more than 40 pounds worth of stuff in this bag. The Weekender is made of water resistant “dragon nylon” that has the strength of nylon but the firm consistency of canvas. The interior lining is also water resistant, which is good in case of an unexpected spill. Also has a Velcro trolley strap and a back trolley strap.
Another no-brainer: firefighters live together and use the same facilities and they’re going to be walking around the showers. The Under Armour Locker III Slide is made to dry quickly from EVA plastic. The strap, footbed and outsole are all specifically designed to channel water away. Choose from two colorways. Easy on and easy off, these make for a practical gift.
Firefighters who needs to keep things handy should have a dopp kit, or as the case may be with this model, an SDK — Super Dopp Kit. This unit unzips and unravels to reveal six compartments. It’s designed to hang this on the towel hook on the back of the bathroom door so it’s super easy to access eveyrthing inside. It’s made of waterproof and scratch resistant oxford fabric and, besides the hangability factor, it has a convenient strap for the old grab-and-go when it’s all folded and zipped up. Choose from seven colors.
Don’t forget that when firefighters respond to calls, it doesn’t always include a fire. They could be assisting someone with a medical condition and that’s why it’s important to have a good watch with a second hand so they can check vitals. Some of this watch’s features include:
Digital compass Altimeter Barometer Thermometer Five daily alarms Solar powered
This watch is also water resistant to 200 meters, meaning that the firefighter doesn’t have to worry about wearing it around the firehose.
A watch with glow-in-the-dark hands is also a good idea, so if you’re thinking of going with one of those, try this G Shock Mudmaster instead.
Of course a Leatherman is a great firefighter gift. They’re always working on something and finding themselves in situations where they just might need any one of the 14 tools that come with the Sidekick. The Sidekick only requires one hand to open and use all the tools, which is very practical.
One of the reasons firefighters are (usually) in such good shape is because they work so hard. You put down the flames of a burning building and you’re gonna burn some calories, so the fire house meal is key. We recommend a protein-heavy approach using this cookbook by Pat LaFrieda.
LaFrieda is a butcher (a pretty famous one in New York) and he knows his meat. There are more than 75 recipes for beef, pork, lamb, veal and poultry. Plus it’s a good looking book.
Firefighters are so busy saving lives and property, they deserve a little R&R and with these drink stirrers, they can whip up some delectable libation for all the crew and serve it in style. This gift for firefighters is just plain fun. Four stirrers to a package.
These are a subtle nod to the profession when dressing formally, whether for work or personal occasions. Just a little something to let others know the work your firefighter puts in on a regular basis. Available in gold and silver.
While the practice of keeping a station dog has largely faded from common practice, if the firefighter in your life has a dog of their own, you can give them an on-theme dog toy to enjoy with their pup. These toys are made of fire hose material and will put up a good fight. Dogs love destroying them, so they can be fun for both parties.
A helmet band keeps tools strapped to the firefighter’s helmet and at the ready. While a black one does the job fine, this one glows in the dark and can be recharged by any light source. Add a little extra visibility for working in low-light conditions.
This very practical firefighter gift gives them the option to attempt to gain entry into a locked door without the use of a potentially-damaging prybar. Prying open a door can be time-intensive and this handy three-pack is light and easy to carry and could potentially save time on a call.
In addition to the toiletry bag elsewhere on this list, you might also consider giving the firefighter in your life a smaller “drug bag” to carry essentials from station to station or potentially on calls. In this, they can put any medication they take, as well as antacids and painkillers. Never hurts to have these on hand. Available in your choice of 23 colors.
Probies should quickly learn to keep cash on them at all times since you never know when you’ll need to kick in for something. That doesn’t mean firefighters need to carry their actual wallet with them at all times, though. Better to have something slim like this that holds one card and some cash for when they’re on-shift. You never know when it could come in handy and this one fits the theme, being made of recycled fire hose material. Available in four colors.
As a firefighter, you don’t stop learning until you retire. Lunch breaks and downtime can be spent learning, and the best way to do that is from senior firefighters. This book highlights successful leadership strategies of firefighters in the NYFD using real-world examples. Anyone can benefit from the additional perspective this book provides.
Even if they aren’t the cook, every firefighter should know two to three recipes for scalable meals to feed a crew. That’s partly why firehouse chili is such a pervasive idea; it’s easy to make large batches, it’s reasonably healthy, and you can tailor it to the crew you’re working with so everyone likes it. This book provides 60 recipes to try so you can mix it up.
Whether they take it to the firehouse to use it to feed the crew or just use it at home, an Instant Pot makes life a lot easier for anyone. Quick, one-pot meals reduce cleanup and simplify the process, which can save valuable time that could be used for other things, even if that other thing is getting some rest. This is the eight quart size for making larger meals and works as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, and rice cooker, among other things.
The probie should be the one making coffee, and that coffee should be both delicious and strong. Death Wish makes ultra-strong coffee that also tastes a lot better than most other beans out there. Also great for recovering after a shift at home. Leave the normal coffee to the normal people.
Firefighters may not always know what kind of situation they’re going into, so help them stay prepared with this. Rather than waiting for coffee to brew at home, this is a French press and travel mug in one, which allows for brewing while moving. Also good for probies who have to wake up before everyone else and are likely going to be tasked with making the first pot at the station.
It never hurts to have an extra pair of shoes on hand. Firefighters may get caught on a scene for a long time and having dry shoes to change into can be a lifesaver. These have oil and slip resistant rubber outsoles, moisture wicking fabric lining, and ASTM F2413-11 steel toes. They’ll fit into the weekender bag we’ve also put on this list.
Firefighters need to stay in shape, so finding ways to easily eat healthy both at home and at the station are key. This air fryer reduces fat in fried foods by 80 percent, and can be used to quickly cook chicken and fish. It’s a relatively compact appliance that works nicely on the counter at home or in the firehouse kitchen.
Staying hydrated is important for everyone, but it’s essential for firefighters. Help your firefighter remember to drink water regularly with this on-theme water bottle. It’s made of food-grade 18/8 stainless steel and holds roughly 24 ounces of fluid. It can keep drinks hot for 12 hours or cold for 24.
Another selection that works well both at home and at the station, these firefighter-related patent prints are a subtle reminder of the work they do. These should fit into many decor styles at home, so your firefighter can bring a touch of pride into the living room.
If your firefighter works in wintery conditions, you might consider getting them a pair of boot grips to help them keep their footing over ice and snow. These augment their normal boots and can be deployed only when needed. This particular model features a high-visibility color for added safety.
You could also go the minimalist route and go for Yaktrax Heeltrax.
Firefighting is a dangerous job, so firefighters of faith will want to know someone is looking over them. St. Florian is the patron saint of firefighters and his image, together with the simple prayer on the back, will give the firefighter in your life the strength to be brave in the face of danger every shift.
If the firefighter in your life is in need of new station boots, gifting them a pair will save them some money. Station boots for firefighters should be ASTM F2413-11 compliant to provide compression protection and be comfortable to wear in harsh conditions over a long period of time.
This Quick Release boot from Thorogood provides protection from compressive loads up to 2,500 pounds and are EH rated for protection from 600 volts of electricity in dry settings. They’re easier to put on and take off than lace-up models and are puncture resistant.
A decent winter hat should also be kept on hand, again in case of cold weather scenes when the firefighter is stuck outside longer than anticipated. This simple design subtly references firefighting without being too over the top. It’s available in five different colors and makes a good stocking stuffer.
Forming one half of The Irons, the Halligan bar is the forcible entry tool used by firefighters and law enforcement. Now you can use one to forcibly open a bottle when off-duty to de-stress from the rigors of the job. Also available in a full Irons set, black, or silver.
Since you can never learn too much, we’ve included another book of stories from firefighters and first responders that help to educate and offer insight into the business of firefighting. Over 444 pages, people who have been there explain what it was like for the benefit of all probies and vets. All proceeds from the book are donated to the Chief Ray Downey Scholarship and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
If the firefighter you know is rotating stations often, they might not be assured of a pillow or a comfortable place to sleep at each one. Along with the sleeping bag we put on this list, a travel pillow well ensure they always have something to lay their head on when the time comes to get much-needed sleep. This memory foam pillow is adjustable to be exactly what they need each night.
Primarily needed by wildland firefighters, a headlamp is a good gift for just about anyone. This LED headlamp from Princeton Tec comes in 350 and 550 lumen versions, with a max burn time of 150 hours on AA batteries – usually the only kind available for resupply in wild areas. These are also waterproof and come in three colors.
Essential for probies but a very good idea for anyone, all firefighters should carry a notebook at all times. Whether on a call and taking notes from witnesses or just writing down the names of your crewmembers, a notebook never goes to waste. This one in particular excels as a firefighter gift because the pages are water resistant when using the included pen. Choose from a black or tan durable Cordura cover with varying notebook cover and page colors depending on which you select.
In fact, it’s a good idea for firefighters to always keep several pens on hand, so pick them up a few spare All-Weather Pens, too.
This all-purpose tool is aimed squarely at first responders who need to address a variety of concerns quickly. This tool is capable of cutting cables and metal, shutting off gas safety valves, and prying open windows and doors. It’s extremely light and can certainly be used for around-the-house jobs, too.
