North Raleigh Today

Fire Battalion Chief Keith Wilder, who recently retired from the Raleigh Fire Department, has been honored with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award. This accolade is the highest recognition for state service in North Carolina. The award was presented during Wilder's retirement celebration on Monday.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to North Carolina and their communities through exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments. Recipients become honorary "ambassadors" of North Carolina, with their names and award dates recorded by The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society.

Wilder has been an advocate for healthcare benefits for firefighters and has worked towards securing line-of-duty death benefits for their families over several decades.

Throughout his 38-year career at the Raleigh Fire Department, Chief Wilder held 14 different assignments, including a 20-year tenure on the Hazmat team. He played a crucial role in establishing the department’s Health and Safety Compliance Division in 2021, which he led until his retirement.

During his acceptance speech at Fire Station 12, Wilder acknowledged those who supported him throughout his career: “This is a huge honor, but I couldn’t have accomplished any of this without everyone’s help,” he stated.