03/13/2026
RFD Connections — March 2026 | Edition 2
Serving the Raleigh Fire Family
Spring always brings a sense of momentum across the Raleigh Fire Department.
New recruits are stepping into the profession, retirement celebrations are honoring decades of service, and department events are bringing our fire family together both on and off duty.
Over the past few weeks we’ve seen a little bit of everything — academy activity, sports competitions, retirement ceremonies, and continued planning for events that strengthen the connections across our department and our public safety partners.
With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, the ACC Tournament in full swing, and warmer days ahead, it’s a great time to reconnect with one another and take a moment to recognize the people and events that keep this department moving forward.
Thank you for being part of what makes Raleigh Fire such a strong and connected organization.
Grateful for community partners who help us build the next generation of Raleigh firefighters.
The Capital Area Firefighters Gala🔥
Only 5 weeks to go — and ticket sales close Wednesday 3/25.
The Capital Area Firefighters Gala is quickly approaching, and this night is about bringing our public safety family together.
This isn’t just a formal event.
It’s a room filled with stories.
It’s reunions years in the making.
It’s tables where firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and public safety professionals gather off duty — connected by the work we share.
To our retirees — you built the foundation.
To our current members — you carry it forward.
To our public safety partners — you stand shoulder to shoulder with us.
This evening is about tradition, pride, and the bonds formed on long shifts, difficult calls, and shared purpose.
🎟️ Tickets and sponsorships are available now.
Seats are limited, and this room will be filled with the very people who understand exactly what this work demands.
👉 Visit our Shop page, or click the links below to reserve your seat.
Let’s make this a night worthy of the uniform — past, present, and future.
🔔Retirement Season is in Full Swing!👏
Retirement season is officially underway, and we’ve already had the honor of celebrating several outstanding members of the Raleigh Fire Department.
On February 27, 2026, members gathered at Station 6 to recognize Captain Brian Batten, thanking him for a career marked by leadership, dedication, and steady service to the City of Raleigh.
On February 28, 2026, members came together at Station 22 to celebrate Captain Curtis Sherian, honoring a legacy built on commitment, professionalism, and lasting influence.
Most recently, on March 5, 2026, the department recognized Captain Todd Glover, celebrating the impact he has made throughout his career with the Raleigh Fire Department.
Each of these ceremonies reflected what makes this profession special — shared stories, well-earned appreciation, and the pride of a job done right.
📸 Photos courtesy of Mike Legeros and Keri Warner
🔥 Planning for What’s Next: Pre-Retirement Conference for RFD Members🧑🚒
At some point, every helmet gets hung up for the last time.
Whether retirement is five years away or starting to feel real, planning ahead makes the transition smoother — financially and mentally. The City of Raleigh Human Resources Department is offering in-person Pre-Retirement Conferences this spring, and there is a dedicated session for Fire personnel.
These sessions are designed to walk you through the process step by step so you can move confidently into your next chapter.
💼 What Will Be Covered
The conference will review the Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System (LGERS), including:
Retirement eligibility
Benefit calculations
Payment options
Survivor benefits
Retirement application process
Returning to work after retirement
➕ Additional Topics Include
Supplemental Retirement 457 and NC 401(k) Plans
Retiree medical and life insurance benefits
Medicare and BCBSNC Medicare Supplement plans
Emotional and mental readiness for retirement
Additional tools and retirement resources
📅 Fire Session Details
April 29
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Fuller Community Center
408 Ashe Avenue
Registration is required.
Attendance also qualifies for a wellness activity credit toward your Annual Wellness Assessment.
If you have questions, contact Human Resources at 919-996-3315 or HRSupport@raleighnc.gov.
If retirement is even remotely on your radar, this is a smart day to invest in yourself.
*It’s tax time…..W-2 Forms are Available Electronically in Employee Self Service
Head on over to Employee Self Service and download your W-2. Best of luck to everyone in the tax game!
🔨 Keep Those Skills & Trades Coming In!🔌
📩 Want to be listed?
Raleigh Fire Sports News
🎳 Bowling Team Update
The Raleigh Fire Bowling team faced DAC-OSA (Dept. of Adult Corrections) on March 4, where Raleigh came up just two pins short.
On March 11, the team bounced back with a win against the Department of Treasury.
Interested in joining? Contact Andre Somme 📞 919-637-8704📧 andre.somme@raleighnc.gov
The team meets every Wednesday at 6 PM at Stars & Strikes Bowling in Raleigh.
The Raleigh Fire Bowling Team: John Di Raimondo, James Jones, Nelson Massey, Michael McKnight, Maribel Somme, Andre Somme, Michael Weaver, Dawn Zimba
🏒2nd Annual🚒Battle of the Badges Hockey Face Off!🚓
Friday, March 27, 2026. Doors open at 6. Game starts at 7.
See the Raleigh Police Department compete against the Raleigh Fire Department in a friendly ice hockey match! The Battle of the Badges is a public event and is free to attend, with an optional donation. Proceeds to support Hurricanes Sled Hockey and The Reason Outdoors.
This is a non-ticketed, general admission event with donations accepted at the door and online. Parking is free. Follow parking sign and parking attendant directions to the East and South lots.
Bags 4.5" x 6.5" or smaller are permitted. For details on exemptions and FAQs, please visit our Bag Policy page. The Bag Policy applies to all Lenovo Center events.
👀 Interest Check: Track Opportunity🏃
• Interest deadline: April 3 • No limit to join
If you’re interested in participating contact: Andre Somme (919) 637-8704 -or- andre.somme@raleighnc.gov
🏃🏽♀️➡️Firefighter Fitness Competition🏋🏽
Firefighter Fitness Competition
Registration is now open for Fittest 2 Serve, a firefighter vs. fighter fitness competition hosted by Apex Fire Department.
📅 Saturday, October 17
📍 Apex, NC
Departments of all fitness levels are encouraged to participate.
Event details and registration information:
https://fittest2serve.my.canva.site/
Consider forming a team to represent Raleigh Fire.
📚📖Raleigh Fire Academy Update
Academy 56 began on February 9 with 25 recruits who already hold EMT certification and are currently working toward their fire certifications.
They are scheduled to graduate May 22, 2026.
Academy 57 begins March 16 with an expected 40 recruits. This full-length academy is scheduled to graduate September 2, 2026.
These academies continue preparing the next generation of Raleigh firefighters.
🍴🕛Annual Retiree Luncheon Announcement
Mark your calendars! The Annual Raleigh Fire Department Retiree Luncheon will be held on May 1, 2026 at Raleigh Fire Station 12. The RPFFA Cook Team is excited to bring this event back and looks forward to reconnecting with many of our retired members.
📅 May 1, 2026
🕚 11 AM – 1 PM
📍 Station 12
🚒Raleigh Fire Museum Open This Saturday: 10-2
The Raleigh Fire Museum will be open Saturday, March 14, and is located at 105 Keeter Center Drive, Raleigh, NC Admission is free. Parking is available on the street.
🌸 Honoring Our Fallen: RFD’s LODD Memorial Ceremony
This year, the Raleigh Fire Department officially launched a new annual tradition with its first Line-of-Duty Death (LODD) Wreath Laying Ceremony, held at the Keeter Training Center.
This ceremony was established to ensure that members lost in the line of duty are formally recognized each year on the anniversary of their passing.
Surrounded by department leadership, members, family, and colleagues, the ceremony serves as a solemn and meaningful reminder of the sacrifice made by those who came before us. Through the laying of the wreath, the presentation of honors, and a shared moment of reflection, the department reaffirmed its commitment to remembering our fallen — not just in history, but in practice.
This annual ceremony will continue as a standing tradition of the Raleigh Fire Department, ensuring that each fallen firefighter is honored with the respect, dignity, and remembrance they deserve.
The next LODD Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held on March 20 at 11:00 a.m. at the Keeter Training Center, honoring Lieutenant Brent A. Upton. Members are encouraged to attend as we continue this important tradition of remembrance.
🕊️In Memoriam
Please keep the family of SrFF Hunter S. Toms and Retired Chief Ian Toms in your thoughts and prayers following the passing of their grandmother and mother-in-law, Patricia Kelly Sadler, of Fuquay-Varina.
She passed away on February 28, 2026 at the age of 95.
💡Have an update, retirement, event, or team news to share?
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: contact@rfdconnections.com or keri.warner@raleighnc.gov
🙏 Thank you...
…for being part of the RFD family. We’re grateful for the people and moments that connect us, and we look forward to sharing more along the way.
Stay safe, take care of each other, and we’ll see you in the next edition of RFD Connections.
