Our Fire Operations Advisory Board (FOAB) consists of fire chiefs, fire equipment distributors and fire industry experts.
Nyle Zikmund
Mr. Zikmund has been Fire Chief for the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View, Minnesota Fire Department since 1995. He 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, a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Hamline University, an Executive Fire Officer degree from the National Fire Academy and is an Accredited Fire Officer through the National Accreditation of Fire Officers.
Greg Hayes
Mr. Hayes has been involved in the Fire/Emergency Service field for 18 years. Mr. Hayes holds a Fire Science degree as well as many State and National certifications. Currently, he works full-time as an Emergency Planner and Instructor for the Emergency Preparedness Resource Group based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota and is a part-time shift captain with the Roseville, Minnesota Fire Department.
Dale Mashuga
Dale Mashuga has worked as a fire service instructor for the past 30 years and has served as a volunteer firefighter for more than 30 years. Dale is the President of Fire Instruction & Rescue Education, Incorporated (F.I.R.E., Inc.), a training company he founded in 2003. Prior to starting F.I.R.E., Inc., Dale was employed by the Minnesota State Colleges and University System where he served as the Fire Training Coordinator at the Anoka-Hennepin Technical College in Anoka, Minnesota. Dale retired as Assistant Chief in 2006 from the City of Andover, Minnesota, where he served as a volunteer firefighter and fire officer for 29 years.
Wayde Kirvida
Wayde Kirvida has considerable experience in the design, development, sales and marketing of custom-built fire apparatus. His fire industry career includes five years of product design/engineering experience and 10 years of apparatus sales. Wayde has served as a Technical Committee Chairman with Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association (FAMA). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University, as well as an MBA from University of St. Thomas.
Robert James
Robert James is a program manager for Underwriters Laboratory, Inc., an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization. In his role at UL, Robert provides oversight and direction for the Fire Service Plan. This includes management of staff who are responsible for supporting efforts within Regulatory Service outreach to the fire marshals, fire inspectors, and firefighters. Prior to this, Robert worked for the City of Bloomington Fire Prevention as a fire marshal, where he oversaw fire investigation, enforcement and education for industrial, residential and commercial facilities (including the Mall of America, the nation’s largest retail facility).
Scott Futrell
Scott Futrell is president and founder of Futrell Fire Consult & Design, Inc. (FFCDI), a company specializing in consulting, project management and the design of fire protection systems for a broad range of building types, and investigating fire protection system failures. He is a Fire Protection Engineer registered in the state of Wisconsin and has been in the fire protection industry since 1975. Scott is a Fellow in the International Society of Fire Protection Engineers, and is a member of the NFPA, participating in its Education, Industrial, and Architecture and Engineering sections. He is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, and has been involved in a variety of fire protection projects since 1989.
Peter Sells
Peter Sells is president of NivoNuvo Consulting Inc., based in Mississauga, Ontario. Peter writes, speaks and consults on fire service management and professional development across North America and internationally. He holds a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the University of Windsor. Peter is a board member of the Institution of Fire Engineers Canada Branch and a former member of the International Fire Service Training Association Administrative Committee. Peter retired from Toronto Fire Services with 24 years of service, last serving as District Chief of Special Operations. Peter authors a regular column and blog for Fire Fighting In Canada magazine.
JoAnn Tyler
JoAnn Tyler has a wide range of experience in the fire service. In 2001, she received Minnesota Fire Service, First Responder, and HAZMAT Specialist Certifications. Her skill set includes more than ten years of real world experience as a firefighter for the Chanhassen Fire Department in Chanhassen, Minn. She has worked in sales management for a fire equipment distributor and is currently a regional sales manager for Holmatro Rescue Tools.
