11/21/2025
🔥 Welcome to RFD Connections — November 21, 2025
Welcome back to another edition of RFD Connections, where we round up the big moments, small wins, important announcements, and everything in between happening across our Raleigh Fire Department family. As we slide into the holiday season (and wonder how on earth it’s already late November), there’s been no shortage of movement, milestones, and meaningful moments.
From community heroes like Jalen Snipes, to major updates on our Yearbook Fundraiser donations, to retirements, station events, and upcoming ceremonies — this edition is packed. Consider this your quick, all-in-one guide to what’s been happening behind the scenes and out in the field.
Grab a cup of coffee… or let’s be honest, whatever caffeine you’ve got nearby… and dive in.
🦃Thanksgiving Message 🍁
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we want to take a moment to recognize the people who keep this department moving — on duty, off duty, and everywhere in between. Whether you're pulling a holiday shift, gathering with family, hosting a station meal, or quietly sneaking extra pie between calls 😄, we’re grateful for the heart and dedication you bring to the Raleigh Fire Department every single day.
Thank you for showing up, lifting each other up, and continuing to serve our community with pride and compassion.
From our RFD Connections team to yours — we wish you a safe, warm, and happy Thanksgiving 🫶🍽️🔥
Got any Thanksgiving photos you’re proud of… or mildly embarrassed by? 😄🦃
Show us your holiday chaos — the golden turkeys, the last-minute saves, the perfectly set tables, the firefighter-style sides, and the family moments that make the day what it is. We’d love to feature a few in the next edition!
👉You can upload your pics right here
(Just drop them in — no fancy file names needed!)
And hey, keep the photos family-friendly. If Grandma can look at it without clutching her pearls, you’re good. 😄
🎉 We’re back home at Keeter Training Center!
Renovations are mostly wrapped up, and the team is mostly moved back in. It feels good to be home!
If you still need to pick up blankets or yearbooks, just a heads-up — KTC is now badge-access only, so you’ll need to be let in. No sneaking in behind someone carrying coffee… we see you. 😉Reach out to Keri before you’re on the way: 919-807-9121.
🚒 Farewell Luncheon for Station 3 🚒
Join us as we honor the history and legacy of Station 3 before the move to its new home.
📅 Thursday Dec. 11, 2025
⏰ 11 am– 1 pm
📍 RFD Station Three 13 S East St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Please RSVP so we can plan food and seating: 👉 Click Here to RSVP
We’re building a memory slideshow and would love your help!
If you have photos, videos, or Station 3 memorabilia, please share them with us — we can scan or digitize anything. (Use the RSVP form to upload files)
Let’s give Station 3 the send-off it deserves. ❤️🔥
Honoring the Fire Service, One Mile at a Time: Jalen Snipes’ 150-Mile Run🫡
Last week, Raleigh welcomed a visitor whose mission was as bold as it was heartfelt. Jalen Snipes, a local runner with a deep personal connection to the fire service, stopped by to share the story behind his extraordinary journey — a 150-mile run from Raleigh to Charlotte to raise funds and awareness for the North Carolina Firefighters Fund.
And yes… 150 miles. On purpose. With running shoes. The man is built differently.
Why He Ran
Jalen’s dedication to firefighters goes far beyond admiration. In 2011, his family home in Greensboro was struck by lightning during a storm. Firefighters responded quickly and prevented the fire from destroying everything. That moment — combined with several family members serving in the fire service — left a permanent mark on him.
This run was his way of giving back:
“I wanted to show the same love firefighters have shown me and my family,” he told us during his stop in Raleigh.
And the community showed up for him, too. What began as a simple idea ballooned into a major fundraising effort with support pouring in online and across the state.
The Impact
By the time he took his first step out of Raleigh, Jalen had already raised $10,000 — with $5,000 matched by his employer, The Coley Group. By the time he crossed into Charlotte five days later, that total had grown to more than $12,000 for the North Carolina Firefighters Fund.
This fund supports firefighters and their families through:
• Scholarships
• Health & wellness initiatives
• Public education
• Statewide programs to support firefighters in need
Raleigh Fire Captain Paul Wyatt summed it up perfectly:
“Seeing the community reflect that love back to us means everything.”
The Journey
Jalen logged roughly 44 hours on the road over five days, following a route across the Piedmont that tested his endurance at every turn. Here’s what his mileage looked like:
Friday: Raleigh ➝ Eastern Randolph Co. — 70 miles
Saturday: Eastern ➝ Western Randolph Co. — 27 miles
Sunday: Western Randolph Co. ➝ Eastern Cabarrus Co. — 20 miles
Monday: Eastern Cabarrus ➝ University City — 25 miles
Tuesday: University City ➝ Uptown Charlotte — 10 miles
At the finish line, Charlotte Fire Engine 11 escorted him through the city before he crossed into Charlotte Firehouse 1, where firefighters, family, and friends welcomed him with open arms.
He arrived wearing a Charlotte Fire T-shirt — and left with a CFD hoodie and official patch to commemorate the achievement.
A Moment With RFD
Before he hit mile 70… 80… 120… Jalen stopped in Raleigh to connect with us firsthand.
He shared his story, his motivation, and a whole lot of energy that could probably power Station 1 for a week.
His message was simple but powerful:
“This is all for the firefighters across North Carolina. I want them to feel seen, appreciated, and loved.”
Mission accomplished.
Follow His Journey
You can keep up with Jalen’s future races, challenges, and ambitious mileage on his Instagram Page
👨👩👧 Retirement!🙌
Chief Clay Hicks is Retiring!
Come join us at Station 29 at noon on Friday, December 19, 2025 for food and fellowship to celebrate the 30-year career of Chief, and Assistant Chaplain, Franklin “Clay” Hicks, Jr.
🔥 Firehouse Holiday Favorites Left Out In The Cold🧊
We came in hot… and y’all came in quiet. No recipes were submitted this season 😅 We’ll try again next year —🤨 We know you cook; we’ve seen the chili cook-offs.
🫂 Honoring Our Retirees
The Annual Retiree Breakfast
The Annual Retiree Breakfast returns to Angie’s Restaurant (1340 W. Garner Road, Garner) on Tuesday, December 2 at 9:30 a.m.
This year’s breakfast will take place in the annex across the street (formerly the Wagon Wheel).
Cost: $15 per person
RSVP to: dsummers@nc.rr.com or call 919-772-0862.
We're continuing to grow our contact list for this group!
Please update your info using this form: 👉 RFD Retiree Contact Update Form
🏀Basketball Tournament🏆
🏀Battle of the Badges:❤️Fire vs Police💙
The heat is on this December! Watch Raleigh’s bravest and boldest go head-to-head in an all-out Basketball Tournament — featuring teams from Raleigh Fire, Raleigh Police, Durham Fire, Wilmington Fire, Rocky Mount Fire, and State Highway Patrol!
📅 Saturday, Dec 13, 2025
🕘 Tip-off at 9:00 AM
💰$10 at the door
📍 Ravenscroft School, 7409 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh
💥 Donations benefit the UNC Burn Center — come cheer, support, and see who takes home the trophy!
📖RFD Yearbook Fundraiser !
On November 12, members of the Yearbook Committee and RFD Command Staff met with Christy Burgess, founder of Phoenix Project 780, at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Nash Square.
We were honored to present a donation supporting the organization’s mission to raise awareness of firefighter occupational cancer and help departments take real steps toward cancer prevention. Phoenix Project 780 continues to make an incredible impact in the fire service, and we’re proud to support their work.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who purchased a yearbook — your support made this possible.
And stay tuned — we’ll be sharing details and photos from our Fire Museum donation in December.
🔨 Keep Those Skills & Trades Coming In!🔌
Skills, Talents, and Trades
We’ve already received some great entries for our new Skills & Trades Directory, and we know there are many more hidden talents across the department.
If you’ve got a side hustle, specialty trade, creative service, or a “yeah, I can fix that” skill — send it in!
We want to fill this toolbox with everything our members can do, and make it a useful resource for everyone.
Let’s show off the full range of talent we have in this department!
❤️Honoring Our Fallen: RFD Launches Annual Wreath Laying Tradition
As part of our ongoing commitment to preserving the history, sacrifice, and legacy of our department, Raleigh Fire Department is establishing an annual Wreath Laying Ceremony to honor each of our members lost in the line of duty.
Beginning in January 2025, we will recognize the anniversary of each fallen firefighter with a wreath placed at the Raleigh Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Nash Square. This solemn tribute will grow into a yearly rhythm of remembrance — one that ensures every name is spoken, every life is honored, and every sacrifice is remembered.
We will begin this new tradition by honoring:
Herman S. Jones
Line-of-Duty Death: January 22, 2008
More details on the January ceremony — including exact time, participants, and ways members can attend — will be shared soon.
Raleigh Fire Department Line-of-Duty Deaths
We honor and remember the following members who gave their lives in service to our city:
Nathan Clark Burgess – November 12, 2023
Brent A. Upton – March 17, 2021
Keith Tessinear – August 29, 2019
Herman S. Jones – January 22, 2008
Paul A. Mimms – April 20, 1965
Vernon J. Smith – March 10, 1956
Each of these members will be recognized annually on the anniversary of their passing as part of this new tradition.
Why This Tradition Matters
The Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Nash Square stands as a constant reminder of courage, duty, and sacrifice. By establishing this annual wreath laying, we’re creating:
A consistent way to honor each LODD, year after year
A moment of pause and reflection for our department
A meaningful connection between our current members, retirees, families, and our history
A tradition that preserves the stories of those who came before us
This is more than ceremony — it’s stewardship of our legacy.
❤️As we wrap up this edition of RFD Connections, we want to take a moment to say how grateful we are for every member of this department — active, retired, sworn, civilian, and everyone in between. The work you do, the heart you bring, and the community you build is what makes RFD feel like family.
We hope your Thanksgiving is full of good food, good company, and at least one uninterrupted nap.
(We can all dream.)
From our RFD Connections team to you and yours — Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for all you do.
💡 Share Your Story
RFD Connections is your space to celebrate our people, our moments, and the bonds that make this department extraordinary.
If you have photos, event updates, or stories worth sharing, send them our way — we’d love to feature them in a future issue.
📧 Email: rfdconnections@gmail.com or keri.warner@raleighnc.gov
