Emergency service organizations must run on trust — not fear. Yet under Dan Tillman’s leadership, the Keokuk Volunteer Emergency Corps (KVEC) has created a culture where speaking out is met not with respect, but with punishment. Volunteers and staff members who dared to raise concerns were shut down, ignored, or driven out.
Instead of embracing constructive feedback, Dan and his inner circle retaliated. People who questioned decisions, flagged safety issues, or tried to advocate for better training were viewed as threats to his control. This toxic environment silenced good people — people who only wanted to help their community.
“While I was a member of KVEC, Dan became chief. We had originally held a vote, and he didn’t win — but he didn’t accept that. Instead, he went to Gabe Rose, the Keokuk Fire Chief, and secured the position outside the vote. Later, when major internal issues began to surface under Dan’s leadership, he told us to lie to the public — to say everything was fine when it wasn’t. That didn’t sit right with me. I stayed as long as I could, hoping to help fix things. But eventually, Dan started accusing me of lying about working my job — when I actually was working. Like every volunteer, my full-time job comes first. On my last day, he told me I had to choose: KVEC or my real job. That’s not how volunteers are supposed to be treated.”
– Former KVEC Captain
This is not an isolated experience. Several volunteers have reported being pushed out after standing up for transparency, professionalism, or even basic ethics. Instead of fixing problems, Dan tried to hide them — and anyone who refused to play along became a target.
When those on the inside are afraid to speak, it means the people on the outside are in danger. KVEC needs more than leadership — it needs healing. But that healing starts with honesty, and honesty only survives when truth-tellers are protected, not punished.
If you’ve been silenced, it’s time to be heard.