🤼 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – Cops vs. Firefighters 🚔🚒
🔥 Firefighters Bring Home the Win! 🔥
The results are in — and the Fire Department didn’t just bring it home… they dominated! 🏆
We’re proud to recognize the RFD competitors who won their matches in this year’s tournament:
- Troy Swanzey
- David Foresi
- Nicholas Azan
- David Logan
- Mel McLaurin
- John Schreck
- Javier Soto
- Aaron Kasnick
This first-ever Battle of the Badges Jiu Jitsu Tournament was organized by Matt Williams (RFD), Dave Bradford (Wake County Sheriff’s Office), and Sayed Naqwe (Holly Springs PD). Their hard work and collaboration made this event a huge success — raising over $4,000 for local causes! 🙌
Congratulations again to Team Fire! 🔥 You made us proud!
🏈 Battle of the Badges – Flag Football Tournament
The Raleigh Fire Department is hosting its first-ever Flag Football Tournament on:
📅 Saturday, October 11
🕤 9:30 AM
📍 Buffaloe Road Athletic Park – 5900 Buffaloe Road, Raleigh
All proceeds will benefit local charities, including the Children’s Burn Center.
📞 Interested in putting together a team or joining one?
- Andre Somme – andre.somme@raleighnc.gov, 919-637-8704
- Jeremiah Davis – jeremiah.davis@raleighnc.gov, 919-413-6444
🏀 Upcoming Event: Fire vs. Police Basketball
📅 Mark your calendars for December 13!
🔥 Capital Area Firefighters Gala – Tickets On Sale Now!
Join us on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills for the Capital Area Firefighters Gala — an evening of tradition, connection, and celebration.
🎟 BUY TICKETS NOW 🏨 RESERVE YOUR ROOM WITH OUR BLOCK RATES
🧣 RFD Blanket Fundraiser
The RFD Blanket Fundraiser has officially closed.
Delivery will be announced once they arrive.
Thank you for your continued support!
📘 Yearbooks Are In!
If you missed out and would like to purchase one, the online store remains open. Orders placed now will be shipped directly to you.
👉 Order your yearbook online here
🫂 Retiree Outreach Support Group – Let’s Keep the Connection Going
📅 Thursday, November 6 at 1:00 PM
📍 John Chavis Memorial Park Community Center, 505 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Raleigh
💬 Topics from our first session included:
- Life after retirement
- Identity and transition
- Separation and feelings of loss
- Fear of failure
- Coping strategies & peer support
We're continuing to grow our contact list for this group! Please update your information using this form:
👉 RFD Retiree Contact Update Form
🎄 Pullen Park Holiday Express
🎟 Tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 9:00 AM
Each December, Pullen Park transforms into a glowing winter wonderland for the Holiday Express — with twinkling lights, themed zones, carousel rides, crafts, and Santa’s cozy caboose workshop.
☕ Enjoy hot cocoa and sweet treats from the Pullen Café and local food trucks. Sensory-friendly nights will also be available.
⚠️ Tickets sell fast! Plan ahead and grab your seats early.
🔗 Visit the City of Raleigh’s Holiday Express page for more info
👨🚒 Recent Retirement
On Wednesday, October 1, Captain Todd Saunders was honored with a luncheon at Station 14. He retired after 21 years of service to the Raleigh Fire Department.
Congratulations, Todd, and thank you for your leadership and dedication! 👏🔥
Special guests included Durham Rescue 1, who have worked closely with Captain Saunders over the years. Seeing both trucks parked side by side was a meaningful sight — something that only usually happens during emergencies.
🕊 In Memoriam
Retired Firefighter R. Derrick Hamrick (1978–1999) has passed away at age 68.
He was found unresponsive after a ten-day camping trip, per a friend’s report. 🙏
Read more:
Portrait from his public Facebook page.
Thank you to Mike Legeros for sharing this information.
💡 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
