One of KVEC’s specialized search-and-rescue vehicles, used for water emergencies on the Mississippi River.
The Keokuk Volunteer Emergency Corps (KVEC) has long been a vital part of the Keokuk, Iowa community, providing water search-and-rescue services and assisting with traffic control during emergencies. Founded on volunteerism and community trust, KVEC historically operated with transparency and member input in its leadership decisions. However, in the last few years this once-respected organization has become mired in controversy, with serious allegations of mismanagement, lack of transparency, and ethical lapses under its current leadership. Growing unrest among volunteers and residents has led to public outcry and demands for accountability and change.
A Historic Lifeline to the Community
For decades, KVEC was a cornerstone of community safety in Keokuk. Volunteer members responded to boat accidents on the Mississippi River, assisted in flood emergencies, and provided support services during public events. The organization earned public trust through its community-centered approach – volunteers had a voice in electing their officers and the public had insight into KVEC’s operations. Longtime chief Kevin Baker, who served from 1994 until his passing in 2018, exemplified this tradition of service and openness. Under his tenure, KVEC operated like a family, and decisions were made democratically with input from the rank-and-file volunteers. This legacy makes the recent turmoil all the more striking to residents who remember KVEC’s proud history.
Leadership Change and Power Consolidation
The turmoil began with a dramatic leadership change. In May 2018, following Chief Baker’s death, the Keokuk Fire Department appointed Dan Tillman as the new Chief of KVEC. Tillman’s appointment was controversial from the start – not only did he lack experience with boats and water rescue (a core aspect of KVEC’s mission), but his attitude alienated many. At his installation, Tillman bluntly acknowledged the dissent, reportedly stating: “You may hate the fact that I am now Chief… I’m Chief now and that’s that.” This brusque approach, combined with his inexperience in water emergencies, immediately raised concern among KVEC volunteers and the broader community about the organization’s preparedness under his leadership.
Once in power, Chief Tillman moved quickly to consolidate authority. He abolished KVEC’s long-standing practice of holding democratic elections for leadership positions. Instead of members voting on their chief and officers, Tillman assumed unchecked control over appointments. He installed his wife, Angie Tillman, and a tight-knit group of personal friends into key positions within KVEC. This effectively transformed the volunteer corps’ leadership into a family-and-friends circle, sidelining veteran members who were not part of Tillman’s inner group. The elimination of elections and centralized decision-making marked a sharp break from KVEC’s democratic tradition, leaving many volunteers feeling voiceless and disenfranchised.
Lack of Transparency and Financial Concerns
One of the most alarming issues under Tillman’s tenure has been a complete lack of transparency in KVEC’s finances. The organization operates on taxpayer funding and community donations, yet members say they have been denied access to basic financial reports. According to multiple accounts, when volunteers have requested updates on KVEC’s budget or spending, they’ve been met with dismissive and secretive responses from the leadership. Chief Tillman and Angie have allegedly responded to inquiries with remarks like “You don’t need to know” or “It’s none of your business,” flatly refusing to disclose how funds are being used.
These red flags have fueled suspicions of financial mismanagement. Some KVEC insiders and community members allege that Dan and Angie Tillman may have been using KVEC funds for personal expenses. Although concrete evidence has not been made public, the leadership’s refusal to open the books has only intensified these suspicions. The appearance of possible self-dealing was further exacerbated when Dan and Angie reportedly opened a private tax preparation business in Keokuk, despite Dan having lost a previous job – a development that some residents find “a bit suspicious” given the lack of financial transparency at KVEC. In the absence of clear financial accounting, rumors and doubt continue to grow. Longtime supporters who once donated generously to KVEC feel betrayed and worry their money may not have been spent for its intended purpose.
Volunteer Morale and Invasive Practices
Inside the organization, many KVEC volunteers describe a toxic environment that has developed under Tillman’s leadership. One frequently cited issue is the invasive monitoring of members’ whereabouts. Chief Tillman has reportedly required volunteers to install GPS tracking apps on their personal phones, giving him the ability to monitor their location even during off-duty hours. This level of surveillance is far beyond normal expectations for a volunteer emergency unit and has created resentment.
Tillman’s management style has also been described as exclusionary and divisive. KVEC members who aren’t in the chief’s favor or part of his inner circle often find themselves kept in the dark about important information. Reports indicate that Dan and Angie Tillman share operational details only with their close allies, leaving other volunteers scrambling and uninformed during emergency responses. Such favoritism and lack of communication have badly damaged morale within the Corps.
Serious Safety and Ethical Concerns
Beyond finances and internal politics, even public safety concerns have arisen under the current regime. In a stunning departure from past policy, the Tillman leadership allowed a registered sex offender to join KVEC’s ranks and participate in emergency call-outs. Previously, individuals with serious criminal or predatory backgrounds were strictly prohibited from volunteering, for obvious safety and liability reasons. The inclusion of a registered sex offender in an organization that interacts closely with the public poses a significant risk to the community, questioning the vetting process under Tillman’s command.
Lack of Oversight and Official Silence
The Keokuk Volunteer Emergency Corps is not an independent nonprofit; it operates under the purview of the City’s Fire Department. In fact, it was Keokuk’s Fire Chief Gabe Rose who appointed Dan Tillman as KVEC Chief in 2018. Yet as controversy after controversy has emerged, the Fire Department and city officials have remained conspicuously silent. According to reports, concerned KVEC members and citizens have attempted to contact the Fire Department with their complaints, but there has been no public response or intervention forthcoming.
Suppression of Dissent and Loss of Public Faith
Instead of addressing concerns openly, KVEC’s management under Tillman has allegedly tried to suppress negative publicity and silence dissenting voices. Volunteers were allegedly instructed to deceive others about the state of KVEC and to project an image of “everything is fine,” even as problems mounted. Such directives run directly counter to the principles of honesty and transparency that volunteer organizations owe their communities.
KVEC used to maintain an official Facebook page where community members could follow updates and share feedback. Under pressure from public criticism, the page’s Community section was removed, and eventually the entire Facebook page was deleted. This move cut off one of the most accessible channels of communication with the public, reinforcing the perception that leadership was more interested in censorship than transparency. KVEC’s website also went offline, leaving residents with virtually no official source of information.
Community Backlash and Grassroots Activism
In the wake of this breakdown in communication, Keokuk residents launched an independent website – SaveKVEC.us – to host public discussions, collect testimonies, and rally support for change. The platform has become a central hub for those demanding reform. Dozens of comments from lifelong residents, former volunteers, and past donors describe betrayal, frustration, and urgency. The overwhelming consensus: KVEC must change leadership or risk collapse.
Demands for Transparency and Change
High on the community’s list of demands is the immediate resignation or removal of Chief Dan Tillman and his wife Angie. Residents also seek a return to democratic leadership within KVEC, the implementation of strict vetting procedures, full financial transparency through independent audits, and stronger oversight from the City of Keokuk and its Fire Department.
Conclusion
The saga of the Keokuk Volunteer Emergency Corps serves as a cautionary tale of how a treasured community institution can falter under poor leadership and lack of oversight. While the organization’s mission remains critical, its credibility is now in crisis. But the strong public outcry and calls for reform show that the community still values KVEC’s role. Residents are not giving up—they’re demanding that the organization return to what it once was: a source of pride, integrity, and service.
Sources
- Miller Report by Adam Miller
- Save.KVEC.us (Community Forum)
- Facebook public group posts
- Community comments and testimonies archived from the former KVEC Facebook page
- Official records and volunteer testimonies cited in community journalism and forums
Leave a Reply