Photography by Stephen Buchanan
A dedicated volunteer, Justin Kaltz is always willing to lend a helping hand and works tirelessly to support important causes in the community. So when his close friend, Duane McKee, decided to start a nonprofit organization, Kaltz was excited to play an active role in the process. He immediately became involved and has devoted his time and energy since day one.
Born out of a desire to serve the community, Second Alarm Brewhouse represents the fulfillment of a dream. McKee, founder and president of the 501(c)(3) organization, wanted to create a gathering place that would become a beacon in the community. He envisioned a coffee shop with the mission of raising awareness and supporting local volunteer fire services.
The cause is personal for McKee, who joined the volunteer fire service in Anne Arundel County in 1994. Since that time, he noticed a decline in volunteerism and wanted to help reverse that trend. Not surprisingly, Kaltz was by his side every step of the way to offer assistance and support. And on October 17, 2020, McKee’s unique concept for a nonprofit organization became a reality when Second Alarm Brewhouse celebrated its grand opening.
“Second Alarm Brewhouse is such an innovative idea for a business,” says Kaltz, who also has served as a volunteer firefighter. “We offer a relaxed social atmosphere where people feel at home. They love our products and the level of customer service. All of our vendors are local, and our focus on local products goes hand in hand with our mission as a nonprofit and also supports local businesses. It’s so rewarding for me to see the customers socializing and enjoying themselves. I’m excited to be a part of Second Alarm Brewhouse, and I love volunteering. Knowing that we are supporting a great cause makes the experience even more meaningful.”
Located in Pasadena and creatively designed with a volunteer firehouse theme, Second Alarm Brewhouse offers a wide variety of local coffee and a diverse selection of breakfast and bakery items, which are provided by food trucks. Free high-speed Wi-Fi and a welcoming atmosphere further enhance the experience for customers. A pub that will offer local breweries on tap and wine from local wineries is slated to open in the summer. (At the time of writing, the pub is awaiting liquor license approval.)
All proceeds from Second Alarm Brewhouse benefit local volunteer fire services, including raising awareness and supporting recruitment efforts.
McKee describes Kaltz as the “highest rank of volunteer.” He is always willing to step up and help in any way that he can and doesn’t hesitate to roll up his sleeves and get to work. Kaltz spends countless hours volunteering and is one of the unsung men and women whose efforts and dedication contribute to the success of Second Alarm Brewhouse.
“Justin’s dependability and his ‘all-in’ and ‘until the job is done’ attitude make him indispensable,” McKee says. “Additionally, what we do challenges us constantly, and most of the time, the solution is outside of the box—so much so that we thrive on the new adventure. [We are] not afraid of failure, and that kind of attitude and hard work drive development and success. And for a nonprofit organization, it is the soul of its very livelihood. We could not have gotten to where we are without Justin. I am extremely proud of our volunteers. We do good work and have come a long way.”
Opening Second Alarm Brewhouse during the pandemic was definitely a challenge. But Kaltz says safety was always at the forefront of every decision. Going above and beyond and strictly adhering to state and CDC guidelines were vital to help navigate any obstacles encountered during the entire process.
“It was difficult, but when we hit roadblocks, we just kept pushing forward,” Kaltz says. “We pride ourselves on our dedication to providing a safe environment that incorporates all COVID-19 protocols, allowing customers to feel at ease and truly enjoy themselves.”
Kaltz, who has been a member of the Air National Guard for 18 years, lives in Pasadena with his wife, Amber, and their two sons, Nathan and Alexander. He is passionate about his military career and was recently deployed to Afghanistan. His love of his country and his community is a driving force in his life. And volunteering at Second Alarm Brewhouse is just another way that he gives back to the community.
“We want Second Alarm Brewhouse to be a place where people love to go and spend time—a place where they feel comfortable just hanging out and relaxing,” Kaltz says. “I encourage everyone to check it out and see all that we have to offer. It’s truly one of a kind.”
For more information about Second Alarm Brewhouse, visit SecondAlarmBrewhouse.com.
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