Captain Tony Todd (E4, A-Shift)
Each month, Hearts on Duty highlights members of the Raleigh Fire Department who go above and beyond in service, leadership, and dedication. These spotlights honor those whose actions inspire their peers and strengthen our fire family.
Captain Todd not only leads with confidence but actively invests in making everyone around him better — from new recruits learning their way, to seasoned firefighters seeking renewed motivation. His ability to overcome hardship while continuing to serve as a tremendous leader has been uplifting for his crew and for the department as a whole.
Submitted by:
Jason Patterson
B4-A
Meet Dr. Donnal Crohan
Staff Psychologist, Raleigh Fire Department
The Raleigh Fire Department is proud to have Dr. Donnal Crohan serving as our Staff Psychologist, providing free and confidential mental health services to all active and retired members.Firefighting is more than a job—it’s a calling with unique challenges, pressures, and sacrifices. Dr. Crohan brings decades of expertise in counseling, psychology, and wellness to help our fire service family process those experiences, support loved ones, and build healthier futures.
With advanced degrees in Community Mental Health Counseling and Psychology from the University of Tennessee and Purdue University, he focuses on:
- Adjustment to life’s challenges
- Crisis counseling
- Forensic evaluation & intervention
- Gerontology (support for retirees and aging populations)
He has also presented nationally on healthy lifestyle improvements for retirees and on gaining wisdom through creativity.
What He Offers (Free of Charge)
-
Therapy
- Tailored to your individual needs
- Focused on real change, not just “talk”
- Helps you find better ways to manage life’s challenges
-
Assessments
- Uses a wide range of professional tools (intelligence, memory, mood, personality, and more)
- Helps clarify confusing symptoms or behaviors
- Can assist in determining whether a loved one may need professional support
-
Consultations for Family Needs
- Guidance on whether your child, spouse, parent, or grandparent may need outside help
- Helps you know what questions to ask before seeking professional care
-
Mental Fitness & Growth
- Not just for problems—also for self-improvement
- Support for promotion readiness and leadership training
- Coaching for academics/study skills and personal goals (relationships, achievement, decision-making)
Why It Matters
- Support your mental health on and off the job
- Help retirees adjust to life after the fire service
- Give families peace of mind
- Encourage personal growth and wellness
How to Reach Dr. Crohan
📞 Phone (confidential): 919-604-6745
📧 Email: donnal.crohan@raleighnc.gov
📍 Office: Downtown Raleigh — separate from City and Fire locations for privacy and easy access
🔥 Capital Area Firefighters Gala – Tickets On Sale Now!
The countdown is on for a
night you won’t want to miss! Join us Saturday, April 18, 2026 at
the Hilton Raleigh North Hills for the Capital Area Firefighters
Gala — an evening of tradition, connection, and celebration.
Hosted by the Raleigh Fire Department and
themed “Through the Flames of Time,” this elegant event will honor
the past, present, and future of the fire service across our region.
General sales (with higher ticket pricing) begin September 15 —
so secure your spot now at the special RFD rate before prices go up.
🎟 RFD Early Access
Pricing Ends September 14!
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RFD Events Team Blanket Fundraiser
Purchase now through September 30!
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Thank you for the continued support!
🫂 Retiree Outreach Support Group – Let’s Keep the Connection Going
Our very first Raleigh Fire Retiree Outreach Support Group
(held August 14) was a success, and we’re grateful to everyone who came out to
share stories, offer support, and strengthen our fire family bond.
We don’t have a date for the next
meeting yet, but we want to keep the momentum going. In the meantime, we’d love
to hear from you:
- What topics would you like us to cover?
- Do you have a question or idea for the group?
- Would you like to help spread the word to other retirees?
💬 Topics from our
first session included:
- Life after retirement
- Identity and transition
- Separation and feelings of loss
- Fear of failure
- Coping strategies & peer support
- Many more meaningful conversations
🧠 Support
Resources
Don’t forget — our staff psychologist is available, free of charge, to support
your mental and emotional well-being. See static post at top of blog for contact info.
📩 Keep in Touch
We’re building a better retiree contact list to share news, invitations, and
RFD Connections updates. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to update
your information here:
👉 RFD Retiree Contact Update Form
Your info will remain private and only be used for retiree
communications.
📧 Contact: Chaplain Jeff
Neal – jeffrey.neal@raleighnc.gov
📱
919-353-3839
Let’s keep the conversation alive until the next meeting — your voice and presence matter.
City of Raleigh Offers Retirement Income Planning Webinar Set for Sept. 11
The City of Raleigh is hosting a Retirement
Income Planning Webinar on Thursday, September 11 at 11:00 AM
(virtual), presented by City of Raleigh Human Resources in partnership
with Ascensus, the City’s Supplemental 457 Retirement Plan
administrator.
What you’ll learn
• Estimating retirement expenses 💸
• Where your income will come from in retirement 🧭
• Deciding when you can retire ⏳
• Building a sustainable withdrawal strategy
📈
This session is recommended for
employees closer to retirement, but all are welcome.
Registrants will receive a workbook before the class with worksheets,
supporting info, and resources.
Questions? Contact Human
Resources at 919-996-3315 or wellness@raleighnc.gov.
🏀 RFD Basketball
This year’s event raised an impressive $5,000 while bringing first responders together for some friendly but fierce competition.
After a nail-biter of a matchup, RFD pulled off a hard-earned win against Wilmington PD, showcasing grit, teamwork, and determination. The team then advanced to the championship game, where they battled Wilmington Fire in front of a high-energy crowd. Though RFD came up just short in the final, they left it all on the court and represented our department with heart and hustle.
We’re grateful to Wilmington Fire for hosting such a meaningful event and for the opportunity to be part of the fight for a great cause. Way to go, RFD Basketball — you made us proud!
🤼 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
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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 andre.somme@raleighnc.gov or Jeremiah Davis at 919-413-6444 jeremiah.davis@raleighnc.gov
🚒 Academy 55 Graduation Ceremony – A Success!
This past Friday, August 22, we proudly celebrated the graduation of Academy 55 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. Friends, family, and fellow firefighters gathered to honor our newest members as they officially joined the Raleigh Fire Department family.
👏 Congratulations to the graduates of Academy 55 — we’re excited to see the impact you’ll make in the years ahead. Welcome to your new fire family!
🏒 RFD Hockey - NEW SHIRTS AVAILABLE!
Pre-Order your Raleigh Fire Hockey loyalty tee through Sept 1.
💡 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 newsletter@rfdconnections.com or keri.warner@raleighnc.gov
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