NYLE ZIKMUND is chief of the Spring Lake Park, Blaine and Mounds View (SBM) Fire Department in Minnesota, a not-for-profit corporation. He began, at age 23, as a day responder and rose through the ranks prior to being named fire chief in 1995. Zikmund holds a bachelor of science degree in secondary education from the University of Wisconsin Stout, a bachelor of science degree in fire science technology from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University. He holds the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) designation from the National Fire Academy and is an accredited fire officer.