🔥 RFD Connections: Gala News, Sports Updates, & Graduations!
Capital Area Firefighters Gala – Tickets Available Now for RFD Members & Retirees!
The countdown is on! Secure your spot for a night of celebration, connection, and tradition at the Capital Area Firefighters Gala — happening Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills.
Hosted by the Raleigh Fire Department and themed "Through the Flames of Time", this elegant evening will honor the past, present, and future of the fire service in our region.
⚠ General sales open September 15 — prices increase on that date, so don’t wait to lock in your tickets at the special RFD rate!
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RFD Events Team Blanket Fundraiser – Back by Popular Demand!
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Thank you for the continued support!
🫂 Retiree Outreach Support Group – Let’s Keep the Connection Going
Thursday (8/14/25), we gathered for our very first Raleigh Fire Retiree Outreach Support Group meeting — and it was a great turnout! Thank you to everyone who came to share, listen, and help lay the foundation for this much-needed group.
While we’re thrilled with the participation, we know there are more retired members out there who could benefit from the friendship, support, and sense of community this group offers.
💬 Topics We’re Discussing
- Life after retirement
- Identity crisis
- Separation and feelings of loss
- Fear of failure
- Ways to cope and adapt
- Offering a listening ear and peer support
- Many more topics not listed here!
We also want all retirees to know that our staff psychologist is available free of charge to support your mental and emotional well-being.
📅 Next Meeting
Date & location coming soon.
📩 Stay Connected
Keri Warner will be collecting retiree phone numbers and email addresses to help us stay connected. You can also keep in touch through our blog: RFD Connections
📧 Contact
Chaplain Jeff Neal – jeffrey.neal@raleighnc.gov
📱 919-353-3839
📢 Retirees – Help Us Stay Connected!
We’re updating our retiree contact list so you never miss important news, meeting invites, or updates on the RFD Connections blog.
Please take a quick moment to share your current email and phone number using this secure form:
👉 RFD Retiree Contact Update Form
Your information will remain private and only be used for retiree communications and RFD Connections updates. Thank you for helping us keep our fire family strong and connected!
💰 RPD Fundraiser
The Raleigh Police Department is organizing a day of “friendly competition” along with a cookout to honor the life of Officer Ken Hopkins on August 16.
The event will take place at Buffaloe Road Park with registration beginning at 8:00 AM and the cookout starting at 11:00 AM. Various competitions will take place including a 1.5 mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and tug of war.
Please see flyer for more information or email Officer Eric Hinton at eric.hinton@raleighnc.gov.
🏀 Basketball
Lay-Ups for Linda is hosting a Battle of the Badges event on Saturday, August 23rd at the Davis Center in Wilmington. Teams playing this tournament are Leland Fire Dept, Leland Police Dept, Raleigh Fire Dept, Wilmington Fire Dept, and Wilmington Police Dept.
Get your tickets at WFD HQ or contact Nick Shepard at 910-553-0951.
This year's Lay-Ups 4 Linda shirts are available for pre-order now until July 31st. If you would like to order, please Venmo @Leslie-Grimord and add the amount with your name, size(s), and contact number. Shirts will be available for pick up a couple days before the tournament and at the event. For shipping, contact letgowithleslie@gmail.com. Visit Linda’s fundraiser page for more information on this cause.
🤼 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – Cops vs. Firefighters 🚔🚒
Get ready for an adrenaline-filled showdown! Join us Saturday, October 4th at the Barwell Road Community Center in Raleigh for a Cops vs. Firefighters Brazilian Jiu Jitsu event you won’t want to miss.
Expect:
🔥 High-energy matches
👕 Event merch
💪 Gym reps on-site
🎉 And plenty more!
💵 Entry Fee: $50 for fighters | $10 for spectators
🙌 All proceeds benefit: The 200 Club of Wake County – supporting the families of first responders.
📢 We’re looking for sponsors! Your support will help make this event a success while contributing to a great cause. Contact us for more details on sponsorship opportunities.
🏈 Battle of the Badges – Flag Football Tournament
Mark your calendars! The Raleigh Fire Department will be hosting its first-ever Battle of the Badges Flag Football Tournament on Saturday, October 11 at 9:30 AM at Buffaloe Road Athletic Park (5900 Buffaloe Road, Raleigh).
We’d love to see teams from across our department and city hit the field for a great cause. All proceeds will benefit local charities, including the Children’s Burn Center.
📞 Interested in putting together a team or joining one? Contact Andre Somme at 919-637-8704.
🚒 Academy 55 Graduation Ceremony
We’re proud to announce that Academy 55 will be graduating next Friday! Join us as we welcome our newest members into the Raleigh Fire Department family.
📅 Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM
📍 Location: St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Raleigh
🎥 Can’t make it in person? The ceremony will also be live streamed, with details coming soon on how to watch.
Come and show your support for these dedicated men and women as they officially join our ranks. Let’s give them the warmest welcome to their new fire family!
💡 Have something to share?
We’d love to hear from you! Send us your story ideas, event details, photos, or suggestions so we can feature them in a future issue of RFD Connections. This is your space to celebrate our people, events, and moments—on and off the job, current and retired.
📧 Email us at rfdconnections@gmail.com or keri.warner@raleighnc.gov
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