Chasing fires, not receipts: St. Mike’s alum uses his degree in the College’s fire station

When Kyle Wentzel ’18 came to Saint Michael’s, he did not have any intention of joining the College’s Fire and Rescue squad. But then a fire alarm went off in his first-year dorm, Ryan Hall, during orientation, and the fire engines rolled up to the door.  

“The fire engine came, and it was all branded with St. Mike’s, and I thought that was really cool,” Wentzel said. 

Today, he is the full-time Fire Chief of the Saint Michael’s College Fire and Rescue Department.

Kyle Wentzel ’18 has been Fire Chief for Saint Michael’s College Fire and Rescue since March 2024. (Photo by April Barton)

Saint Michael’s Fire and Rescue operates 24/7, responding to calls both at the College and in surrounding towns. In 2023, the department responded to more than 3,000 calls in the greater Burlington area. Student volunteers who are trained and earn certifications through the department make up the bulk of the squad.    

Wentzel joined Fire and Rescue as a first-year student and served all four years at Saint Michael’s as he studied Business Administration and Accounting. After he graduated in 2018, Wentzel pursued a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Vermont and worked in their central finance office.

Wentzel was still involved with Saint Michael’s Fire and Rescue in the time following his graduation. He started as a bookkeeper, then became volunteer assistant chief. In March 2024, he became the full-time Fire Chief — one of the few paid positions in the department.  

Kyle Wentzel ’18, far right, shown as a student volunteer during a training with other area fire departments. Wentzel became fire chief in March 2024. (File photo)

For Wentzel, the choice to become full-time Fire Chief at Saint Michael’s – and leave his job at UVM – came down to what fulfilled him most, professionally and personally. Most of all, he wanted to work with students to give them the same positive experience he had on the Fire and Rescue squad when he was in their shoes. 

“Looking back at my time as a student, I see how much I grew as a person,” Wentzel said. “I look at how incredible some of the stuff we do is. I came back to be a part of that.” 

A typical day for Wentzel varies and depends on the time of year and staffing. Most days Wentzel is at the station and ready to respond to calls with students and to make sure things are on track with the department.  

“I am not a ‘typical fire chief,’” Wentzel explained. “I do not have code enforcements to do. My primary role is to keep the department moving making sure that the students are well supported.”  

Wentzel said his background in business and accounting helps with many of the daily tasks, but his overall work is a bit more varied as chief of a fire department on a college campus.  

One of Saint Michael’s College Fire and Rescue’s fire engines. (File photo)

Wentzel makes sure students are on top of their academics and up to date with their training while he also manages the relationships Fire and Rescue has with other departments. He also tackles larger projects, including building out Saint Michael’s class offerings. For example, he has been working to build a firefighter certification class for credit as well as a class that has firefighting and emergency management components.   

Wentzel’s favorite part of the job is when students first come into the department as first-year students and when they leave at graduation.  

“It is obviously bittersweet to see them go, but it is the beginning and culmination of their experience here,” Wentzel said. “To watch students grow over that time is very fulfilling.” 

For more information about Saint Michael’s College’s Fire and Rescue Department, click here.>>