Our QDR Hometown Hero of the week is Hugh Long, a First Class Firefighter with the Raleigh Fire Department.
His nominator said: “My nominee for Hometown Hero is my great-nephew, Hugh Long. Hugh is a First Class Firefighter with the Raleigh Fire Department. He joined the RFD Academy 48 in May 2022 and graduated in December 2022. His special certifications include: Firefighter 1; Firefighter 2; Hazmat Ops and Awareness; Technical Rescuer Ropes; Tech Rescuer Vehicle; Tech Rescue Heavy Machinery; Swift Water Rescue Technician; Structural Collapse Technician; and EMT – B. He has worked at RFD Stations 5, 17, 21, and 14. Before joining the Raleigh Fire Department, Hugh was a firefighter in Georgia, where he received the Medal of Valor in February 2022.
In addition to his duties with RFD, Hugh is also a farmer helping feed America; he was proud to say he learned his farming skills from his Grandpa David.
He is my hero because when his grandpa was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2025, Hugh not only showed up for his duties as a firefighter and farmer but also always found the time to visit Grandpa at Duke when he was there for extended periods of time for treatments. He fulfilled his job requirements, his farming responsibilities, visited his grandpa, and helped manage his grandpa’s household, all while taking care of his newlywed, Reagan, whom he married in May of 2025. Although we lost David in February of 2026, Hugh was loyal to Grandpa’s care to the end.”
Hugh, as a token of our appreciation, we’re sending you a $50 gift card to Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q to thank you for all you do!