06/05/2026
RFD Connections — June 2026 | Vol. 1
Serving the Raleigh Fire Family
June is here, and with it comes a full lineup of department updates, community events, recognition, and moments that remind us what makes the Raleigh Fire family so strong.
June is also National PTSD Awareness Month, an important reminder that the work of public safety can leave marks that are not always visible. Taking care of ourselves and one another matters, and support is always worth reaching for — whether for ourselves, a coworker, a friend, or someone in our fire family.
In this edition of RFD Connections, we’re highlighting the upcoming Station 3 Open House, this weekend’s softball tournament, recent department news, retiree updates, and more from across RFD.
Thank you for continuing to stay connected, show up for one another, and celebrate the people and moments that make Raleigh Fire what it is. ❤️🚒
📆 Upcoming Events:
June 6 - Softball Tournament
June 15 - Station 3 Open House
June 19 - Juneteenth
June 21 - Father’s Day
June 27 - National PTSD Awareness Day
Raleigh Fire Department Celebrates Spring 2026 Promotions
📣The Raleigh Fire Department held its Spring Promotional Ceremony on June 3.
Family, friends, colleagues, and department leadership gathered at Providence Church in Raleigh to recognize members stepping into new ranks and responsibilities within the department, with the exception of Emergency Management Assistant Director Dr. Satwana Hurdle, who recently welcomed a new baby into the world. Congratulations, Dr. Hurdle!
The ceremony opened with music by Wake & District Pipes & Drums, followed by the Presentation of Colors by the Raleigh Fire Honor Guard. Community Engagement Deputy Manager Adam Brown led the ceremony, and Fire Chief Herbert Griffin administered the Oath of Office as each promoted member pledged to perform the duties of their new rank to the best of their ability.
Promotional ceremonies are more than a change in title. They represent years of hard work, leadership, dedication, and the trust placed in each member as they take on greater responsibility in service to the Raleigh community.
Congratulations to all of our newly promoted members. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with you and look forward to the continued impact you will make in your new roles.
Academy Graduation
On May 22, Raleigh Fire Academy 56 graduated with 21 recruits. These recruits were part of the shortened academy as they already had their EMT certifications. Starting on February 9, they endured 15 of the most fun weeks of their lives, and then by June 1, they were all settled into their new stations. Welcome Graduating Class 56!
Station 3 Open House Set for June 15
Raleigh Fire Station 3 has a new home, and the department is inviting the community to come celebrate.
Raleigh Fire Department will host an open house at the new Station 3, located at 936 Rock Quarry Road, on Saturday, June 15, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. The event will begin with a dedication ceremony, followed by tours of the new station throughout the afternoon. Light refreshments will also be available.
The new 11,105-square-foot station officially opened on April 27. Located in Southeast Raleigh, the $11.5-million facility houses a fire engine and a crew of 12 firefighters. The former Station 3, located about 1.7 miles away on South East Street, closed the same day the new station opened.
Station 3 carries a meaningful history and a deep connection to the Victor Company, Raleigh’s first volunteer Black fire company. Victor Company served the community for decades and operated in the building that later became the original Fire Station 3.
That history is also honored at the new station through an outdoor public art installation titled The Victor, created by artist Maxwell Emcays as part of the City’s Percent for Art Ordinance.
At the center of the installation, a firefighter emerges from a blaze carrying a rescued figure. The firefighter is intentionally shown without a helmet, honoring the Victor Company firefighters who served without today’s modern equipment and protective gear.
The artwork is designed to help the community see itself reflected in the story of service, sacrifice, and hope. A path of bronze plaques outlines Raleigh Fire Department history, while six benches display the department’s core values: Courage, Service, United, Protect, Sacrifice, and Honor.
The open house is a chance for residents to tour the new facility, learn more about Station 3’s history, and celebrate the continued service of Raleigh firefighters in Southeast Raleigh.
Raleigh Fire Sports News
Softball Saturday 6/2
Raleigh Fire will hit the field this Saturday for a round robin softball tournament against Raleigh Police and the Department of Adult Corrections.
Come out and cheer on your favorite players, enjoy some friendly competition, and support our first responders as they battle it out on the diamond.
Games begin at 9 a.m. at Millbrook Exchange Park, Fields 1 and 2. Admission is $10pp at the door.
Bring a chair, bring your crew, and get ready for a great morning of softball. We’ll see you there!
Carolina Brotherhood Ride
Ready to ride: June 21 - 27
T-SHIRT PRE-SALE IS LIVE!
The 2026 Honoree T-Shirts are officially available in the shop! Presale runs now through June 15. Orders will begin shipping around June 22
https://carolinabrotherhoodride.org/shop/
The Carolina Brotherhood is a 501c3 charitable organization composed solely of emergency responders, and their families, from across North and South Carolina. Founded in 2010 by two Charlotte (NC) firefighters, it has grown to include over 100 emergency responders who have participated over the last decade. Their mission is to provide financial and emotional support to the families of emergency responders who become sick, injured, or killed in the line of duty.
They accomplish their mission by cycling across North and South Carolina, annually varying their route in order to meet the families and friends of our fallen heroes. This time with families and friends allows them to learn about their loved one, hear their stories, and get to know the fallen heroes on a personal level.
🏃🏽♀️➡️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.
🔔Retirement’s to Celebrate👏
On May 28 2026, we had the honor of celebrating Captain Jayson Ramsey and his years of dedication, service, and leadership.
Missed it? Check out the photo album!
🐣 Welcome to the Family, Little One!
Congratulations Dr. Hurdle!
Dr. Satwana Hurdle, Assistant Director of Emergency Management, and partner Jarvis Cheek, on the arrival of their beautiful baby girl, Giana Cheek.
Miss Cheek made her grand entry to the world on Saturday, May 30, at 6:39am, weighing 5 lbs 9 oz, and measuring 19 inches. Both mother and baby are healthy - and so is daddy.
🕊️In Memoriam:
🕊️Assistant Chief Danny Poole’s Mother and Capt. Davis Poole’s Grandmother, Mrs. Joyce Anne Rogers Poole, passed away on May 25, 2026. Mrs. Poole was also the Grand Mother-In-Law to Courtney Joyner in the Logistics Division. A memorial service was held Friday, May 29, 2026, at L. Harold Poole Funeral Home, Knightdale. The full obituary can be found here .
🕊️The wife of retired Captain Titus Brown passed away on Friday. Judy Brown was 84. She's the mother of retired Captain Donnie Brown, and the grandmother of Donnie Brown II and Dillion Brown, also RFD members. The visitation and funeral were held May 27, at Catawba Springs Christian Church in Apex. Read her obituary at https://www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com/obituaries/judy-brown .
The Shirt Off Our Back…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 contact Battalion Chief David Penny
📧 david.penny@raleighnc.gov 📱 919-369-9845
🔨 Skills & Trades - Get Known!🔌
📩 Want to be listed?
💡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.
