08/31/2026
Meet a Member Monday!
Some of the most valuable people in a firehouse are the ones who never stop learning and aren't afraid to bring someone else along with them. Lieutenant Pinard is one of those people.
Originally from Metter, GA, Lt. Pinard came to Onslow County while serving in the Marine Corps. After leaving in 2015, he chose to stay in Eastern North Carolina and continue a career centered around service. He brings with him 10 years of fire service experience, 5 of which being with the Indian Beach Fire Department. As a Lieutenant, Pinard focus lies mainly in making sure his crew, apparatus, and equipment are ready when the tones drop. From maintaining operational readiness to leading company trainings, much of his passion comes back to one thing: are we prepared to perform when someone needs up.
If you don't hear or see Lt. Pinard around the station, there's a good chance he's got someone under his wing passionately discussing fireground tactics, forcing the door prop, or buried in research for something he plans to teach next rotation. His passion is one of his greatest strengths. A true student of the craft, he is methodical, tactically minded, and rarely satisfied with simply knowing what works. He wants to know why it works, when it doesn't, and how that translates into sound, timely decisions on the fireground. His curiosity and ability to simply translate what he learns to others makes him an invaluable asset to our department.
We asked Lt. Pinard a few questions:
What are your primary responsibilities, or what are you most passionate about?
Ensuring the apparatus and equipment are in service and ready for calls, leading training to ensure members are prepared, and responding to calls of service for the community and neighboring departments.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
He likes swimming, shooting, and being somewhere on the water.
What do you enjoy most about the communities we serve?
He describes these communities as everything he envisioned when he thought about working at the coast. We're privileged to serve year-round residents, many from families whose lives have been tied to the waters for generations, and the thousands that choose our community as their place to vacation. He sees this as an opportunity for us to be ambassadors for the community we represent.
What safety advice do you have for residents and visitors?
"Pay attention to water conditions and the weather while you're visiting."
What advice would you give to someone wanting to join the fire service?
"Be humble. On the days it gets hard to keep going, remember WHY you started, and try to take in as much as you can."
For Lt. Pinard, serving these communities carries a responsibility beyond simply answering calls. He consistently demonstrates his dedication to the department and the fire service through his preparation, curiosity, mentorship, and desire to become better at the job. His willingness to learn, challenge himself, and share the knowledge with others makes him a valued leader and important part of our organization.
Thank you, Lt. Pinard, for your continued dedication to the Indian Beach Fire Department!
