Meet the Fire Administration

Deputy Fire Chief Chad Jackson

Fire Chief 
Chad Jackson

Email:  Chad.Jackson@kinstonnc.gov

Phone:  252-939-3222

Fire Chief Jackson began his career with the Department in 2003. Fire Chief Jackson went quickly through the ranks and became an Operations Captain on A Shift in April of 2014.  He served as Captain with several different companies and is a member of the Fire Origin and Cause Investigation Team.  Fire Chief Jackson has certified in many different categories within the career field of Firefighting such as Technical Rescuer, Confined Space Rescuer, Paramedic, Fire Officer I and II and Level I Fire Inspector.  He is a Qualified North Carolina Firefighter Instructor as well.  Fire Chief Jackson completed the Executive Fire Officer Leadership Program through Wilson Community College.  
 
 In October of 2021, Fire Chief Jackson became the Training Captain and the Department Safety Officer within the Department of Fire and Rescue.  In June of 2022, Fire Chief Jackson received his State of North Carolina Standard Certificate for Fire Inspector Level II, with his Probationary Certification as a Fire Inspector Level III.  In October of 2022, he was officially promoted to the Rank of Deputy Fire Chief of the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue.  In October of 2024, he was officially promoted to the highest ranking as Fire Chief.
Captain Jason Lee

Deputy Fire Chief

Jason Lee

Email:  Jason.Lee@kinstonnc.gov

Phone:  252-939-2712

Administration Assistant Britany Baughman


Administration Assistant  
Britany Baughman


Email:  Britany.Baughman@kinstonnc.gov

Phone:  252-939-3164


 Ms. Baughman was born and raised in Lenoir and Greene County. In 2012 she worked at her local stores. Until 2014 where she then worked at Gold's Gym as a Supervisor. Ms. Baughman then started with the City of Kinston as of October 2015 as a Customer Service Representative. She transferred from Customer Service to an Administrative Assistant for Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue in June 2020.


Lieutenant Banks Nimmo


Administration Captain
 Stevens Nimmo

Email:  Stevens.Nimmo@kinstonnc.gov

Phone:  252-939-2713

Lieutenant Nimmo started his career with the department in October 2016. He was promoted to Lieutenant in October 2021. Lieutenant Nimmo is certified in many areas of the fire service. Some of these include; Firefighter I & II, Fire Officer I, Technical Rescuer, Hazardous Materials Operations, Chief 101, and Emergency Medical Technician. He currently holds an Associates degree in Fire Protection Technology.


IMG_1130

Training Captain
 Frankie Howard


Email:  Gene.Howard@kinstonnc.gov

Phone:  252-939-3939


Captain Howard has been around the fire service for the majority of his life and can remember going to his local volunteer fire station at an early age with his father to help check apparatus and equipment, and attending meetings with him. This gave Captain Howard a growing love for the fire service and the rewards this occupation offers. Captain Howard began his fire service career in 2002 as a Jr. Firefighter with the Pink Hill volunteer Fire Department where he still currently serves his Community. In 2006 Captain Howard began his professional fire service career with KDFR. He served here and worked his way up to driver before departing to serve over 10 years with Jacksonville Fire and Emergency services in Jacksonville NC where he worked his way up to the rank of Lieutenant. Captain Howard was hired as the Training Captain back with KDFR in January of 2025. Captain Howard is certified as Firefighter II, qualified fire Instructor level II, Technical Rescuer, Confined space rescue, Vehicle and machinery rescue, Emergency vehicle driver, Driver operator pumps and aerials, Emergency vehicle driver, Fire life safety educator I, Level I Fire inspector, Fire officer I, and Fire officer II, Emergency Medical Technician, and Car Seat Technician.
image1

Fire Inspector
Zachary Jenkins


Email:  Zachary.Jenkins@kinstonnc.gov

Phone:  252-939-3228


Zachary Jenkins was born and raised in Lenoir County. In 2020, he began his fire service career with North Lenoir Fire & Rescue and currently serves on the board of directors for both North Lenoir Fire & Rescue and the Lenoir County Volunteer Firefighter Association. He stepped into a role as a 911 dispatcher for Lenoir County Emergency Services in July 2024. Mr. Jenkins began his career with the City of Kinston in November 2025 as a Fire Inspector.