04/10/2026
RFD Connections — April 2026 | Vol. 1
Serving the Raleigh Fire Family
Behind every call, every shift, and every milestone is what truly makes this department special—its people. From welcoming new additions to recognizing promotions, honoring retirements, and celebrating those who go above and beyond, this edition of RFD Connections is a snapshot of the moments that connect us all.
Raleigh Fire Sports News
🏒2nd Annual Battle of the Badges Hockey Game - RFD Burned it Up!
The RFD Hockey Team brought the heat at the 2nd Annual Battle of the Badges, securing an 8–5 win over Raleigh PD.
Over 3000 people attended, and we raised over $7,000 for each charity, Hurricane’s Sled Hockey and The Reason Outdoors!
Huge thanks to everyone who came out to show their support, and to the Lenovo Center and all the organizations that made it happen.
Events like this remind us how strong this community is—on and off the ice.
🏋🏽♀️First Annual Piedmont Classic Coming in May
Firefighter Jenny Jaskolka, of Station 3/A, is set to compete in the First Annual Piedmont Classic on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in China Grove, NC. Her coach, Megan Prato, is also a Cary firefighter.
Jenny will be competing in the Novice Lightweight Women’s Division—her first time performing these lifts in competition (and her first time pulling a fire truck!). We’re excited to see what she can do.
Spectators are free, and additional details on parking, vendors, and sponsors will be shared as the event approaches. If you own a business and are interested in partnering, please reach out through the event website.
For more information, visit:
https://ironpodium.com/browse/ev/piedmont-classic
🏃🏽♀️➡️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.
🔔Honoring Our Retirees 🚒👏
We recently celebrated the careers of several members who have given so much to this department:
Captain Joel West – Station 20 (3/27/26)
Battalion Chief Dennis Marshall – Station 22 (3/30/26)
Lieutenant Steve Nipper – Station 1 (3/31/26)
Thank you for your years of service, leadership, and impact. Enjoy the next chapter—you’ve earned it.
Upcoming Retirements:
Captain Josh Freeman
📍 Station 5
📅 April 27, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM
Assistant Chief Brian Sherrill
📍 KTC
📅 April 29, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
☕ Coffee & light refreshments
We hope you’ll join us in showing appreciation for their incredible careers.
Something Extra For Our Retirees
RFD-branded (and non-duty) apparel remains available for purchase through the retiree store:
🔗 https://raleighfiredepartment.itemorder.com/shop/category/416975/
Quick Notes:
Mix of cotton and polyester options
True-to-size fits (based on feedback)
Some youth sizes available
Select station-specific items (Stations 12, 14, 21)
Ladies-cut options, hats, and drinkware available
Orders ship directly to you
For general questions:
Battalion Chief David Penny
📧 david.penny@raleighnc.gov
📱 919-369-9845
🍴Annual Retiree Luncheon May 1, 2026
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
🔥 Planning for What’s Next:
Pre-Retirement Conference for RFD Members - April 29🧑🚒
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
Registration is required. Attendance also qualifies for a wellness activity credit toward your Annual Wellness Assessment.
April 29
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Fuller Community Center
408 Ashe Avenue
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.
🔨 Skills & Trades - Get Known!🔌
📩 Want to be listed?
🌸 Honoring Our Fallen: RFD’s LODD Memorial Ceremony
This year, the Raleigh Fire Department officially launched a new annual tradition with its Line-of-Duty Death (LODD) Wreath Laying Ceremonies, held at the Keeter Training Center.
Established to ensure our fallen members are formally recognized each year on the anniversary of their passing, these ceremonies stand as a lasting commitment to remembrance.
On April 20, the department will gather to honor Driver Paul Mimms. The ceremony will serve as a reminder of Driver Mimms’ service, sacrifice, and the impact he left on the department.
Through the laying of the wreath, presentation of honors, and shared moments of reflection, we continue to carry forward the legacy of those who came before us—not just in memory, but in the way we serve each day.
This tradition will continue as a standing commitment of the Raleigh Fire Department, ensuring that each fallen firefighter is honored with the respect, dignity, and remembrance they deserve.
🐣Celebrating Birth’s
Congratulations to FCFF Saron Reed (E9-C) and family on the birth of their daughter, Mila Jae Reed, born at 04:23 on April 1.
While we celebrate her arrival, the Reed family is also navigating a challenging road. Mila was recently diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and is currently receiving care in the ICU at Duke as she grows strong enough for surgery.
During this time, the Reed family could use the strength of their extended fire family. Between hospital stays, travel, and caring for their family, even small gestures can make a meaningful difference.
If you’re able to support:
🔗 Meal Train: https://mealtrain.com/7gd751
📧 Direct support: Saronreed@gmail.com
Whether it’s a meal, a message, let’s do what we always do—show up for our own. ❤️
Captain Eric Hisey and his wife Linsey welcomed their son, Jackson Wayne, on March 31 at 7:50 AM. He weighed 6 lbs 1 oz and measured 19 inches. Everyone is doing well.
Lieutenant Greggs and his wife Christina welcomed Makayla Lauren Greggs on March 31 at 2:33 PM, measuring 54 cm and weighing 9 lbs 3 oz. Big sisters Skylar and Eliana are already excited for their newest teammate.
Congratulations to all—your RFD family celebrates with you.
💡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.
