Meet Lieutenant Nick Zimpel

Where are you stationed?
Fire Station 13 (Town Center Drive) on the ‘A’ shift.

What was your previous position?
Firefighter/Paramedic, Fire Investigator at Station 11.

How long have you been with MFD?
Since September of 2008.

What do you like about your station and/or the territory?
There’s lots to love about Station 13’s territory. We have a very diverse community that is experiencing rapid growth. It is has been a great opportunity tour new buildings during the construction phases to better understand modern construction, which has caused firefighters to change their approach to responding to fire. Now that COVID restrictions are loosening, I really look forward to getting out to community events and meeting the people we serve. Growing up in a small town, I enjoy the small community feel of our territory, which only has three sets of stop lights.

How has your perspective changed now that you are a Lieutenant?
My perspective has changed in a few ways. I had to change my ways of responding to calls and how I approach my job. When I come to work every day, it is my duty to ensure that our crew is ready to go, whether that be ensuring their gear is in sound condition or ensuring they are mentally prepared for the day. It is my duty to ensure that everyone on our crew goes home safely, and I am giving them the tools, equipment, and making good decisions to ensure that happens. If all the aforementioned is ready to go, I can be sure our crew is providing the best service to our community. The job of Lieutenant is not about a title or me, it’s about creating an environment where our crew operates at the highest level, which provides the best service to the community.

What has been one of the most rewarding experiences of your career up to this point?
There has been literally thousands of rewarding experiences; however, successfully resuscitating or being able to give a person a second chance at life is truly an amazing feeling.

Anything else you’d like to share?
I truly am thankful to be able to work in a job that enables me to help people in so many ways. This has been, and continues to be, a great career that I look forward to getting better at every day for the next couple of decades. I have had some truly amazing experiences, lumped in with some really hard and difficult calls, but at the end of the day I know I am doing the best I can for this great community.