01/02/2026
Welcome to RFD Connections — January 2, 2026
Welcome, friends!
As the year winds down and the holidays approach, we’re reminded that this community—past and present, on-duty and retired, families and friends—is what truly holds us together.
Wishing you comfort, warmth, and meaningful moments throughout the holiday season. We’re glad you’re here.
As we head into the holidays, we’ll take a short pause and look forward to sharing more stories in the new year.
Moments like these remind us that Hearts on Duty doesn’t always wear turnout gear — sometimes it shows up in strings of lights and a whole lot of community pride.
🎄 Spreading Cheer, Station by Station
The same heart for service we see every day on duty often shows up in quieter, more unexpected moments.
That spirit was on full display this holiday season, as Station 7 took top honors in the Local 548 Christmas Lights Contest, standing out among a strong field of stations who went above and beyond to bring some extra joy to their communities. With nearly double the number of firehouses participating compared to previous years, the competition was close — and the effort across the board was nothing short of impressive.
Station 7’s creativity, teamwork, and holiday spirit helped light up the east side and served as a reminder that connection and care extend well beyond the call volume. A big thank you to everyone who took the time to decorate, vote, and spread cheer — this was truly a department-wide win.
Congratulations again to Station 7, and cheers to all who helped make the season a little brighter.
🔥The Capital Area Firefighters Gala
🔥 Through the Flames of Time: Why This Night Matters
Some nights are more than a date on the calendar.
The Capital Area Firefighters Gala is a chance to pause from the pace of the job and come together to honor the tradition, service, and people who define the fire service. It’s a night rooted in shared history, pride, and the connections that carry us forward.
This evening recognizes the legacy built by those before us while supporting the causes and organizations that continue to give back to our fire service community.
It’s a chance to step out of bunker gear, share a meal, raise a glass, and spend time with those who understand what this job asks—and what it gives in return.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available.
Visit our Shop page for info.
We hope you’ll join us for an evening of connection and celebration.
👋Retirements!👏
As we close out this month, we’re grateful for the opportunity to celebrate two careers defined by service, leadership, and heart. Chief Clay Hicks and Lieutenant Travis “T-Boy” Boykin have each left a lasting mark on the Raleigh Fire Department, and we wish them nothing but the best in their next chapter. Thank you both for decades of dedication—you’ll always be part of the RFD family.
🫂 Honoring Our Retirees🙏
The Retiree Outreach Support Group
The Retiree Outreach Support Group returns in January. More information to come….
We're continuing to grow our contact list for this group! Please update your info using this form:
🔨 Keep Those Skills & Trades Coming In!🔌
Skills, Talents, and Trades Directory
We’ve already had some solid submissions come in for the Skills & Trades Directory, and we know there’s so much more experience, talent, and know-how out there across our RFD community.
If you’ve got:
a side hustle
a specialty trade
a creative or technical skill
or that familiar “yeah, I can help with that” ability
…we’d love to include it.
If you’re on the fence or thinking “someone else probably already submitted this,” they probably haven’t. And if people have come to you before because you’re good at what you do — that’s exactly who this is for.
🪷Honoring Our Fallen: RFD Launches Annual LODD Memorial Ceremony
LODD Wreath Laying Ceremony
Raleigh Fire Department is establishing an annual Wreath Laying Ceremony to honor members lost in the line of duty. Each fallen firefighter will be recognized on the anniversary of their passing.
We will begin this tradition by honoring:
Herman S. Jones
Line-of-Duty Death: January 22, 2008
Thursday, January 22, 2025
11:00 a.m.
Keeter Training Center, Raleigh, N.C.
Additional details will be shared as appropriate.
🫵Reminder: Review Your 2026 Benefit Deductions for Accuracy✔️
As the 2026 benefit elections take effect with the new year, please review your January 2, 2026, paycheck to make sure your benefit deductions are correct. These deductions are based on the choices you made during the 2026 Open Enrollment period in October 2025.
To confirm your Core Benefits, log into PeopleSoft, open the Benefit Details tile, and select Benefits Statement to view your 2026 Open Enrollment Election Confirmation Statement.
To confirm your Voluntary Benefits, log into your Mark III account and review your Mark III Benefits Election Confirmation Statement.
If you have any questions or notice any discrepancies, please contact Human Resources at 919-996-3315 or HRSupport@raleighnc.gov.
🏒 A Hockey Event on the Horizon
Sometimes the earliest heads-up is enough to get our attention.
We’ve recently received word from organizers about a future hockey event that will benefit Fire, Police, and EMS. While the event is still a ways out and details are limited for now, we’ve been told they’ll be there — and that alone makes this one worth keeping on the radar.
Events like these aren’t just about competition on the ice. They’re about camaraderie, shared purpose, and coming together in support of the first responder community as a whole. Fire, Police, and EMS all showing up for one another — that’s always a win.
As more information becomes available, including dates and ways to support, we’ll be sure to share updates here. For now, consider this your early heads-up: something good is coming.
🕊 In Memoriam
Spruill Marshall Baker, Jr.
Spruill “Marshall” Baker, Jr., was born on July 21, 1953. Marshall passed away on December 20, 2025, following a brief battle with lung cancer.
Marshall was a Captain with the Raleigh Fire Department, where he retired with 30 years of service. Marshall loved his family, his friends, his community, and his church. A man of integrity and deep faith, he loved the Lord and lived his life in service to others.
A service to celebrate his life was held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Knightdale, NC.
Diane Keeton Williams
Please keep Captain Donald R Williams (E 8/A) and family in your thoughts and prayers. Captain Williams mother, Tericia Diane Keeton Williams, 80, passed away on December 17, 2025, at her home in Henderson, NC.
Services were held on Saturday December 20 at 1400 hours, with visitation prior to the service, at New Life Baptist Church, 2174 Vicksboro Rd, Henderson NC.
👉 Together, Into the New Year
We hope you enjoyed a safe and meaningful holiday season. As we head into the New Year, we look forward to continuing to highlight the people and moments that make RFD more than a department—it makes it a family. Thank you for all you do, and here’s to a strong year ahead.
💡 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: newsletter@rfdconnections.com or keri.warner@raleighnc.gov
