October Reports From Your IFA Officers
Mike Kime, IFA President
Hello Firefighters, since my last article over the last few months, I have helped Manchester and Ed get more wire for the boxes to be used at convention.
I continue to talk with Oelwein for their upcoming 2027 convention and help answer questions. We, myself and the IFA board will continue to help them and talk through ideas.
I have been down to the training bureau with Kent and Chris we worked with Jess Dunn at the training bureau about the Acadis portal and took a look at that so we can see what the difficult areas are that the Iowa Firefighters are struggling with during testing. This was a great learning experience and very eye opening to see how that system works.
We welcomed Legislators to Manchester convention for them to see what convention is all about. Sharing new and old friendships, the connections across the state, and the networking that happens between everyone in the campground and at drills. We had a friendly competition of water ball. On one side we had the house and on the other side we had the senate. This was a great experience for the legislators to have fun. We also discussed what the IFA board feels is the focus for the year with legislation and our goals at the capitol. They gave us their input and guidance to help us achieve what we are looking for. Dan Zumbach is the senator from the Delaware County area. He was speaking on senate floor and shared his experience at fire convention in the past. Be sure to express your thoughts to the legislators if you see them out and about. Thank you to Exira Fire Department and Dyersville Fire Department for allowing your trucks to be available to provide transportation for the legislators around the campground and to the water ball area. Another great year of having the legislators present at convention.
In closing, I would like to comment on the memorial service that we had on Friday evening. I would like to express a sincere thank you to the Delaware County Honor Guard for their participation and help in putting on the memorial service. Along with the Delaware County Dispatch center, Manchester Fire Department, Lonnie Newhall and the IFA board, and the bag pipes played by a local Manchester resident Brian McKenzie. It was humbling to be a part of and to continue sharing the unforgettable moments and lives lost of 9-11. My son was 2 years old and our daughter was not born yet. We need to keep sharing this to our young generation so we will never forget 9-11. Continue to tell the story.
I am looking forward to serving as the IFA president for the 2026-2027 year ahead. If you have questions, concerns or thoughts please reach out to myself or anyone on the IFA board. We want to continue to do what’s in the best interest of all Iowa Firefighters.
Chris Bylund, 4th Vice President
Greetings, My Fellow Firefighters,
I hope everyone enjoyed their time in Manchester for the convention. I would like to thank the Manchester Fire Department for hosting yet another wonderful convention.
Convention is always a great time of the year. It gives us an opportunity to reconnect with our fellow brothers and sisters from across the state for a week of fun, good laughs, and some friendly competition. These are the moments that make being part of the fire service so special.
I would also like to thank Fire Department Coffee for being at convention this year and for choosing our group to be the spotlight for September. I personally absolutely love the new T-shirt design!
Congratulations to Jeremy Coates on becoming our next 5th Vice President. If you have ever thought about running for a position within the IFA, I strongly encourage you to do so. It is a great experience, and you have the opportunity to meet and build relationships with firefighters from across the state and even across the nation. I know I am just completing my first year, but I have already met so many great people and had experiences that I will remember for a lifetime.
This summer has been a busy one for me with the IFA. We met with the FSTB and went over some of the new systems they are implementing, as well as the FF1 testing procedures. As with any new system, there are going to be some growing pains. I ask everyone to please be patient with them and trust the process. I believe these changes will ultimately make things better and more efficient for everyone.
I would also like to welcome Kimballton Fire Department to the IFA! We are excited to have you as part of our organization. I will continue to challenge our district coordinators and department presidents to find one or two new departments to join the IFA each year. Growing our organization and strengthening the fire service across Iowa is something we can all be a part of.
I want to thank everyone who volunteered their time at the Hall of Flame booth this year, as well as everyone who helped with setup and teardown. It was another great time at the fair — minus the heat and rain, of course!
Adam and I are also working on the PAC Golf Tournament, so mark your calendars! It will be held June 5th at Lake Creek Golf Course in Buena Vista, the college course. Camping will be available at Sunrise Point Campgrounds, and King’s Pointe is available for those who would prefer to stay at a hotel. It should be a great time. If you know of anyone who would be interested in sponsoring the tournament, please contact Adam or myself.
As I close, I just ask that everyone stay safe this harvest season. Remember, there will be a lot of slow-moving vehicles on the roads. Watch out for one another, take care of your equipment, and remember that taking care of your equipment means it will be there to take care of you when you need it most.
Take care of each other, stay safe, and God bless.
Jeremy Coates, 5th Vice President
Hello, fellow firefighters!
This is Jeremy Coates, your newly elected 5th Vice President of the Iowa Firefighters Association Board.
I would like to thank Manchester and the Manchester Fire Department for hosting the 2026 IFA Convention. The city gave us a very warm welcome, and the members of the fire department and their families did an outstanding job keeping everything running smoothly throughout the convention. I had the opportunity to introduce myself and meet many of you, and I look forward to meeting many more in the years ahead.
For those I haven't had the chance to visit with yet, here is a little about me. I have been a member of the DeWitt Fire Department for 17 years. I hold certifications in Firefighter I & II, Instructor I, and Driver Operator Pumper/ Aerial. I also spent 13 years in the military and was deployed to Iraq twice.
My military and fire service experiences have given me a unique perspective on the importance of mental health. The things we experience affect each of us differently, and no firefighter should ever feel like they have to carry those burdens alone. One of my goals over the next seven years is to help ensure that anyone who may be struggling, at whatever level, knows there are people standing beside them and resources available to help.
I am grateful to the Iowa Firefighters Association for giving me the opportunity to serve on the Board and to give back to the fire service and my fellow firefighters. Most importantly, I thank God for putting this opportunity in my path, and my wife, Jen, and our three children, JJ, Jerrick, and Jeslyn, for their unwavering support. Serving in this role will be a commitment for our entire family, and I could not do it without them behind me.
As I settle into this new role, please feel free to reach out to me with questions, concerns, ideas, or issues you would like to see addressed. I look forward to serving you, learning from you, and working together to strengthen the Iowa fire service.
Thank you for putting your trust in me. I'm honored to serve. Always remember, you are not alone.