09/12/2025
🚒 MONTHLY MUSEUM OPENING + ANTIQUE APPARATUS MUSTER
Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Come out to the Monthly Raleigh Fire Museum Opening + Antique Apparatus Muster on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Raleigh Fire Museum will be open to the public, showcasing artifacts and stories from throughout our department’s history. Outside, the Antique Apparatus Muster will feature beautifully preserved fire trucks and equipment — a great outing for families, retirees, history buffs, and anyone who loves the fire service.
📍 Location: Raleigh Fire Museum (at Keeter Training Center, 105 Keeter Center Drive, Raleigh)
⏰ Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
I’ll also be there with RFD Connections! This is a chance to:
Learn more about the blog and what it offers.
Sign up for updates right on the spot.
Share your ideas, questions, or feedback.
Connect with me directly if you’d like to contribute to the blog.
Come out, enjoy the museum, and say hi — I’d love to meet you and hear your thoughts.
CAPITAL AREA FIREFIGHTERS GALA – JUST 2 DAYS LEFT FOR RFD MEMBER PRICING! (MEMBERS & RETIREES)
The Capital Area Firefighters Gala is set for Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills — and we want to be sure you have everything you need to join us for this special evening.
🎟️ Ticket Reminder
Ticket prices increase on Monday, September 15, 2025.
Be sure to purchase your tickets before then to lock in the current RFD rate.
🏨 Hotel Room Block
A block of rooms has been reserved for Gala guests at the Hilton Raleigh North Hills.
Group Name: Raleigh Fire Department Gala
Group/SRP Code: RFDG26
Group Rate: $189 per night
Booking Link: Reserve Here
Or call (919) 872-2323 and reference Group Code RFDG26 and dates.
Cut-Off Date: Reservations must be made by March 19, 2026. After this date, the remaining rooms will be released and rates are not guaranteed.
Guests are responsible for booking and paying for their own reservations.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations require at least 72 hours’ notice prior to arrival.
Breakfast is not included in the group rate.
For booking issues, contact Kaitlyn Pollack at Kaitlyn.Pollack@Hilton.com.
Important Notes: 📅 Don’t wait — book your room and purchase your tickets early to ensure you don’t miss this incredible night of celebration, connection, and tradition. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Gala!
RFD EVENTS TEAM BLANKET FUNDRAISER – Back by Popular Demand!
Thank you for your 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 (it should be in November as this looks to be a quarterly event), 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 the static post at top left of the blog for more info.
📩Keep in Touch
We’re building a better retiree contact list to share news, invitations, and RFD Connections updates.
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.
CoR BENEFITS & WELLNESS FAIR SET FOR OCT. 10, FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M.
The time for Open Enrollment is just around the corner and the City of Raleigh will kick off the season with the Benefits and Wellness Fair.
City employees are invited to come out on Friday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nash Square. Employees can explore the many resources available to support health, well-being, and financial
wellness. Employees will have the opportunity to connect with benefits and wellness vendors, ask questions, and learn about the programs.
This year's Open Enrollment period will span from Monday, Oct. 13 through Friday, Oct. 31.
All benefits-eligible employees will have the opportunity to review, enroll in, or make changes to their core and supplemental benefits.
Important: This year’s Open Enrollment is active. You must re-select and re-enroll in your benefits - previous elections will not carry over to 2026.
Make sure your personal information in PeopleSoft is accurate to avoid missing important communications.
Check out Corecon for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at 919-996-3315 or email HRSupport@raleighnc.gov.
SETTLE THE SCORE: UNDERSTANDING CREDIT
The City of Raleigh Human Resources Department will sponsor “Settle the Score,” an interactive
discussion on general credit and credit report consumer education facilitated by financial representatives from the North Carolina State Employees' Credit Union. Read More
RALEIGH FIRE DEPARTMENT IS RECRUITING FIREFIGHTERS
The Raleigh Fire Department is now accepting applications to its next Fire Academy. The application deadline is Sept. 30!
The Raleigh Fire Department offers job stability and a competitive benefits package. The starting salary for a firefighter is $56,825.
If you know anyone who might be interested, please spread the word!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k09YkeVi_o
RFD plans to hold two Academies in early 2026. The first one will be for those applicants who have their EMT certifications. That Academy is scheduled to start in February 2026.
The regular Academy is scheduled to begin in late March 2026 and is for candidates who don’t have EMT certification. Application period for both runs until Sept. 30, 2025.
Visit How to Become a Raleigh Firefighter to learn more about the application process. In addition, potential applicants may wish to watch videos illustrating the components of the required Physical Agility Test.
INTRODUCING COMPSYCH GUIDANCE RESOURCES: NEW EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Human Resources is excited to announce that ComPsych Guidance Resources will serve as the new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider starting on Jan. 1.
ComPsych provides confidential counseling, expert guidance, and valuable resources to help active full-time and part-time employees, and their household members navigate life’s challenges. These services are provided at no cost to the employee and include:
Short-term counseling services - Up to eight sessions per issue annually, addressing concerns such as stress, anxiety and depression, grief and loss, job pressures, substance abuse disorders, and marital, relationship and family challenges.
Work and lifestyle support - Assistance and referrals for topics like child and elder care, relocation, pet care, college planning, home repairs, car purchases, home sales, and more.
Legal guidance - Access to attorneys for questions regarding divorce, custody, adoption, real estate, bankruptcy, landlord-tenant issues, civil and criminal actions, and more. If representation is needed, employees can receive a free consultation and a 25 percent discount on customary legal fees.
Financial resources - Advice on budgeting, debt management, tax issues and other financial topics.
Confidential assistance from ComPsych will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you have questions, please contact Human Resources at 919-996-3315 or email hrsupport@raleighnc.gov.
CoR 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 email at wellness@raleighnc.gov
🤼 BATTLE OF THE BADGES JIU JITSU
🔥 Official Lineup Announcement! 🔥
We’re pulling out all the stops to make the Battle of the Badges Jiu Jitsu Event unforgettable — and that starts with an elite team bringing the energy, professionalism, and experience this show deserves.
🎤 Master of Ceremonies:
We’re pumped to welcome Eric Tansey, host of the wildly popular Failure to Stop Podcast. Get ready for a mic presence that matches the intensity on the mats.
⚖️ Referees:
Two warriors of the game, Chris Lewter and Daniel Branch, will be laying down the law with precision and fairness — both are battle-tested and respected throughout the BJJ community.
🎙️ Commentator:
Bringing the action to life is none other than Karl Krebs, who’ll be calling the matches with insight, passion, and flair.
The Line-Up:
It’s the classic Cop vs. Firefighter showdown—and this one’s gonna be hotter than a 3-alarm fire and tougher than a traffic-stop at midnight. 😤💥In one corner: 🚔 Patrick Coates – ready to serve, protect, and submit. In the other: 🚒 Eric Hoster – fueled by caffeine, chili cook-offs, and pure firefighter pride.
Next up we have👮 Jonathan Davis black belt, sworn to protect and serve… unless it’s paperwork, then forget it. 🩺 Kevin Masterson black belt, EMS hero, shows up late to parties but somehow still gets the credit.
·And last, this one is a little bit different! EMS and the Firefighters get after it!🚑 Riley “The Ambulance Assassin” Huneke vs 🚒 Mel “The Hose Hammer” McLaurin. One’s ready to choke you out with an IV drip and the other’s bringing 3 alarms worth of smoke. 💥👊
Massive shoutout to Impact Mouthguards for hooking us up with some custom mouthpieces for the Battle of the Badges Jiu Jitsu Event! Because let’s be honest… no one wants to leave the mat looking like they just tried to eat a brick. 🧱🤣
Thanks to them, you can keep all the teeth 🦷 you came to the mats with.
We will have a bunch of these for 🏆 door prizes when you show up to watch the battle happen👊! Check out @impactmouthguards for the best way to protect your grill while you go full beast mode on the mats.
🗓️Saturday, Oct 4th, 2025
💵$50 entry for fighters
💰$10 entry for spectators
📍Barwell Rd Community Center
🔥Who’s walking out with the bragging rights - ‘bamalances, badges, or hoses?
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📍Follow their IG for match announcements, fighter profiles, and more.
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🙌 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.
🏒 RFD HOCKEY
The next game hasn't been scheduled yet, but we currently have talks with the Wilmington Fire Dept and Myrtle Beach Fire Dept, so keep your ears open for more details!
We are also planning the 2nd annual RPD v PFD Hockey Game for next year!
👶NEW TINY TURNOUTS! 💗
Congratulations go out to Lieutenant Jakob Snipes and his wife Kelly on the birth of their daughter. Hallie Gray Snipes was born on Friday, 9/5 at 2:13 pm weighing 8 pounds, 12 ounces and she is 20.5 inches tall. Everyone is doing great!
💡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, moments—on and off the job, current and retired.
📧 Email us at newsletter@rfdconnections.com or keri.warner@raleighnc.gov
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