Burkel then began volunteering as a firefighter, even serving as president of the Benevolent Association, until the camaraderie of the fire-rescue department encouraged him to become a fulltime firefighter-paramedic. Kyle said fire gear alone weighs 75 pounds, and the work requires strength. Retired due to health reasons, he and his wife, Emily, built a home in Old Town, Fla. and are surrounded by nine wooded acres, embarking on a new phase.

Kyle said he never defined himself by what he did for a living, but when he became a firefighter-paramedic, it became a big part of his existence. His identity was embroiled in the bigger organization. He said there’s a saying at the station, T-SAFE: This S%@T isn’t for everybody, and anyone who’s ever tasked with serving the public understands the commitment. But, he did see his career as a way to give back to the community. He was professionally-trained to save lives, he said. The impact he has had, saving lives, remains with him. “I see my friends and family on their worse day. Since you know everybody in a small town, the ones you save where you really make a difference, makes it all worth it.”

Born in Bloomington, Minn., Kyle Burkel, 58, grew up in the country and to the country he has returned -- in his retirement. But, for a long while he called Islamorada home and he was recently recognized at a village council meeting for his 25 years of service to the community.  He’s proud he stayed with the same department for all of his service.

Leaving a bitter cold Minnesota in the last week of February in 1993, Kyle moved to the Keys with his wife. Kyle had married a girl from his home state in late 1992 in a ceremony at Rumrummers where he had worked… that quirky, multi-story, oceanfront, tiki-roofed bar that graced Holiday Isle Resort for years. She left him and the Keys in June 1993, saying “There was no shopping.”

Kyle  served as the Village of Islamorada’s first public works employee and then supervisor. He was the village's 17^th employee after incorporation in December 1998.

With Islamorada’s public works department, Burkel recalled a crew of two other guys and him who were tasked with laying the stone foundation of the Carysfort Light cupola that graces the entry lane and roundabout in Founders Park. He also helped supervise the building of the aquatic center in 2001. Next, came the skate park construction (which later was removed to house exercise equipment and then pickleball courts).

Public works also worked on the village’s storm drains, repaving and patching roads, rebuilding road shoulders with sand; removing exotic trees and rebuilding Fire Station #20.