08/14/2026
RFD Connections — Aug 2026 |Vol. 2
A Lot Can Happen in a Week or Two…
There’s plenty happening across Raleigh Fire as we head into the second half of August. A new academy is getting ready to begin, another is bringing families into the fold, future recruits are preparing to put their skills to the test, and we’ll soon pause to remember one of our own. We’re also celebrating a hard-fought match on the soccer field, an upcoming retirement, progress for the Raleigh Fire Foundation—and quite a few new additions to the RFD family.
❤️ Celebrating August Hearts on Duty: Captain Jeff Warren
If you see Captain Warren around, be sure to congratulate him on his well earned spotlight.
Be sure to also visit the Hearts on Duty Wall of Honor to catch up on previous spotlights and nominate a fellow RFD member who deserves a little recognition.
Coming Up
Academy 58 officially begins Monday, August 17. As they start the long road through the academy, we wish our newest recruits the best as they begin their training and their journey toward becoming Raleigh firefighters. Welcome to RFD, Academy 58!
Academy 57 Family Night
Academy 57 reaches another milestone on Tuesday, August 18, with Family Night.
Family Night gives the people supporting our recruits behind the scenes a closer look at the academy experience and the work their loved ones have been putting in throughout their training.
SAFRE 2026
The South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo (SAFRE) continues through Saturday, August 15. The annual event brings firefighters, instructors, vendors and fire service professionals together for training, networking, equipment demonstrations and more.
New Raleigh Fire Museum Coins
Coins are $20 each and are available at the Museum booth at the SAFRE conference, at the Raleigh Fire Museum, or with Keri Warner at KTC.
Remembering Chief W. Keith Tessinear
You are invited to join as Raleigh Fire will gather on Friday, August 28 at 11 a.m. at the Keeter Training Center for a Line of Duty Death remembrance ceremony honoring Assistant Chief W. Keith Tessinear.
The ceremony gives us the opportunity to pause, remember his service and sacrifice, and ensure that his legacy continues to be honored by the department he served.
Recruiting Campaign Closes With 1,381 Applications
Applications have officially closed for the upcoming Raleigh Fire Academy recruiting cycle, and the response was tremendous.
The campaign generated 12,366 views and 1,381 applications.
Thank you to everyone who shared our recruiting information, helped spread the word and—most importantly—to every applicant who raised their hand and said they wanted the opportunity to become part of Raleigh Fire.
For many of them, the next step begins soon.
Promotions & Retirements
Raleigh Fire has several career milestones to recognize this summer, including recent retirements and a new round of promotions taking effect later this month.
Congratulations on Your Retirement
Captain Jayson Ramsey - June 1, 2026
Division Chief Wallace Gaster- July 1, 2026
Captain James Williams- July 1, 2026
Senior Firefighter Michael Phillips- July 1, 2026
Thank you to each of these members for their years of service to Raleigh Fire and the community. We wish them all the best in retirement and whatever comes next.
Congratulations on Your Promotions
Christopher Wilson, promoted to Division Chief, effective August 22, 2026
Jason Patterson, promoted to Division Chief, effective August 22, 2026
Jay Rauer, promoted to Battalion Chief, effective August 22, 2026
Kenneth Yahiku, promoted to Battalion Chief, effective August 22, 2026
Congratulations to our newly promoted chief officers as they step into their new roles and responsibilities. We wish each of them continued success in this next chapter of their RFD careers.
Building Support Beyond the Firehouse.
Raleigh Fire Foundation Update
Another major milestone is in the books for the Raleigh Fire Foundation.
The Foundation's state formation paperwork has officially been approved, and its Employer Identification Number (EIN) has been issued. The application for federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit status has also been submitted to the IRS and is currently awaiting determination.
It’s another important step toward building a dedicated charitable organization designed to strengthen and support Raleigh Fire, its members and families, department programs, training, morale, community outreach, fire and life safety education, and other initiatives benefiting the community we serve.
More to come as the Foundation continues taking shape.
Raleigh Fire Museum Presents: The Annual Antique Fire Apparatus Muster! Saturday 9/12/26
Raleigh Fire Sports News
RFD vs. RPD Soccer: One Heck of a Comeback
The scoreboard may not have ultimately fallen our way, but RFD certainly didn’t go quietly.
RFD faced off against RPD on the soccer field and found itself trailing 2–0 with roughly five minutes remaining.
Then things got interesting.
RFD battled all the way back to tie the match 2-2, and force a shootout. RPD ultimately took the win in the shootout with 4-1, but Andre Somme reports that the group had a great time.
Nicely done team.
Image credits to Battalion Chief Dena Ali & Lieutenant Andre Somme.
Charity Hockey Game!
Raleigh Fire takes on the Port City!
The RFD Hockey Team is hitting the ice for a great cause!
Join them on Saturday, August 22 at 5:30 p.m. as they take on Port City Fire at the Polar Ice House in Wilmington.
Admission is $10, with children ages 5 and under free.
Proceeds will benefit The Reason Outdoors. So come on out and cheer on the team, enjoy some hockey, and help support a worthy mission.
Coming Up: Battle of the Badges BJJ Returns!
🚔 Cops vs. Firefighters 🚒
Everyone get ready because we have some great matches lined up for the 2026 Battle of the Badges Jiu Jitsu Showdown!
🗓️ Saturday, October 3rd
🚪Doors open at 10 AM and matches will start at 11.
📍Barwell Road Community Center 5857 Barwell Park Dr. Raleigh, North Carolina
We are still taking matches so go to the QR code or hit our link in bio to apply for some action!
Proceeds will go to the 200 Club of Wake County
October 5 — RPD Special Olympics Golf Tournament
Come out and support our Blue family
RPD will host its 2026 Golf Tournament benefiting Special Olympics North Carolina. Registration and additional information are available through the event page.
There’s plenty more coming as we head toward fall—so keep an eye on RFD Connections for updates, department events, opportunities and stories from across Raleigh Fire.
🏃🏽♀️➡️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.
Retirements!
Celebrating Captain Ralph Ripper
After a career of service to Raleigh Fire, Captain Ralph Ripper will work his final shift on Friday, August 28, ahead of his official retirement on September 1.
Captain Ripper hasn’t requested a large departmental retirement celebration, but there will be an opportunity for friends and coworkers to stop by Station 5 around lunchtime on August 28 to wish him well. A congratulatory cake will be waiting—and, more importantly, so will the chance to share a few stories and send him into retirement surrounded by some familiar faces.
Congratulations, Captain Ripper, and thank you for your years of service to Raleigh Fire.
🐣Growing the RFD Family 👶
Apparently somebody forgot to tell Raleigh firefighters that we already have enough staffing challenges. Four birth announcements—including twins—have arrived recently, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome the newest members of the extended RFD family.
🕊️In Memoriam:
Keeping Our RFD Family Close
Please keep Senior Firefighter Chris Morales and his family in your thoughts following the recent passing of his father, Elfido Carrillo Morales.
Funeral services were held Friday, August 7 at Hephzibah Baptist Church in Wendell.
We extend our deepest condolences to Chris and his family during this difficult time.
Join the Raleigh Fire Department Honor Guard
The Raleigh Fire Department Honor Guard
is looking for dedicated members who are willing to serve our department in one of its most respected traditions.
Whether standing watch at a funeral, welcoming our newest recruits, or representing the department at ceremonial events, the Honor Guard serves as a visible symbol of our professionalism, pride, and respect for those who have served before us and those who continue to serve today.
If you are interested in becoming a member or would like to learn more about the expectations and commitment involved, please speak with any Honor Guard member or email Lt. James Jones at james.jones@raleighnc.gov
🔨 Skills & Trades - Get Your Business 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.
