Iowa EMS Association - IEMSA

06/03/2026

Congratulations to Belle Plaine Area Ambulance Service, our 2025 Volunteer EMS Service of the Year.

This team shows what becomes possible when dedication meets collaboration. Through responsible management, genuine community engagement, and a steadfast commitment to education and staff development, Belle Plaine continues to raise the standard for volunteer EMS across Iowa.

Every community has people doing this kind of work.

𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗜𝗘𝗠𝗦𝗔 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 are now open, so if a service or an individual comes to mind, this is the moment to put their name forward.

Learn more and submit a nomination here: https://iemsa.net/page/IEMSAAwards

𝘗𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘐𝘌𝘔𝘚𝘈 𝘉𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳 𝘈𝘳𝘮𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨.

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country and never came home.

Many in Iowa's EMS family have worn the uniform. Many serve beside veterans every day. Today, we honor the fallen who made the freedom of that service possible.

To the families who carry the weight of that sacrifice: we see you, and we remember with you.

🇺🇸 In honor and remembrance.

05/22/2026

Stories like this are a powerful reminder that the investment and work of IEMSA Corporate Member Simulation in Motion-IA, the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust for its transformational $7.9 million investment, and the University of Iowa for sustaining and growing this program long after the original grant funding launched it.

It's also important to note-- the State of Iowa was able to secure this opportunity to support EMS in Iowa and only because of the University’s willingness to carry the long-term responsibility of keeping it going. It truly takes a village, and this is an example of strong partnership and leadership at every level.

Want to see this innovative training tool up close?

You can tour the SIM-IA vehicle, meet the program director and trainers, and connect with 75+ EMS vendors in the Exhibit Hall at the IEMSA Annual Statewide Conference, November 12–14, 2026, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

⭐ NEW THIS YEAR — The Saturday Exhibit Hall is FREE to attend!
Join us on Saturday, November 14, from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. to explore the latest EMS tools, technology, training resources, and hands-on demonstrations.

➡️ Register now for the FREE Saturday-Only Exhibit Hall Pass:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFZdcKuxHntEjQe5TjDJFfyTuuhc-5kdGSXV2xJFRJkSv-sQ/viewform

Brian Rechkemmer

JOHNSTON, Iowa – A central Iowa first responder is crediting a training program for helping him save a life. He received that training just one day earlier. The training program is known as S…

05/22/2026

Love this!! Strong Work educating the public on who we are and what we do.

05/22/2026

Had to share! Such a creative and fun way to appreciate their partner agencies!

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

🚨 EMS Leaders, The Future Isn't Coming. It's Here.

IEMSA is proud to introduce our inaugural 𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗠𝗦 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗬: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, September 9 -10, 2026, at the Hilton Garden Inn West Des Moines.

Featuring National Speaker: Donnie Woodyard Jr., author of The Future of Emergency Medical Services: AI, Technology & Innovation. He is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School's Executive Leadership Program and holds a Harvard certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. Donnie is helping define how EMS systems evolve in an era of rapid technological disruption.

This is not a passive learning experience. It's a strategic investment for EMS leaders, providers, and educators navigating real-world challenges, especially in rural and resource-limited environments.

What you'll gain:

✅ Hands-On AI Session to engage directly with tools shaping care delivery
✅ "Why This Matters" is dedicated focus on rural EMS system impact
✅ Live engagement with autonomous vehicles, eVTOL aircraft, drones, and large language models
✅ A copy of Donnie's latest book, included with registration

💰 IEMSA Member Rate: $85/pp (Exclusive through July 15, 2026)
💰 Non-Member Rate: $225/pp

🔗 Conference Details: https://iemsa.net/page/2026EMSTechConf
🎟️ Register Online: https://iemsa.net/event/2026EMS_Tech
🏨 Hotel Block — Hilton Garden Inn WDM ($139/night, expires 8/25/26): https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/dsmwhgi-93i-0b72e0b4-ff0c-4463-b0cb-6a28d88bf4a1/

Questions? 515-225-8079 | [email protected]

05/21/2026

Tomorrow is EMS Weeks --"EMS Appreciation Day" -- the Iowa EMS Association steps our early and proudly to recognizes and honor the extraordinary dedication of Emergency Medical Services professionals across our state and nation.

As part of EMS Week 2026, we are honored to share this tribute video from the Iowa EMS Memorial Ceremony held on May 16, 2026, at Station #19 in West Des Moines. This meaningful ceremony helped kick off EMS Week by remembering and honoring EMS professionals whose service and legacy continue to impact the EMS community throughout Iowa.

This year’s honorees include:

• Brock C. Schmidt (Line of Duty)
• Michael W. Arndorfer
• Kerry C. Kleve
• Robert “Rob” Light
• Jeff Pease
• Mark L. Sachen
• David “Dave” Sweet
• Arnold “Arnie” Tiefenthaler

Their dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to serving others will never be forgotten.

Every day, EMS professionals answer the call with courage, compassion, and professionalism — often in the most challenging circumstances. Whether responding to emergencies, providing lifesaving care, supporting communities during disasters, or offering comfort in moments of crisis, EMS personnel stand on the front lines of healthcare and public safety.

Today, and throughout EMS Week, we extend our deepest gratitude to paramedics, EMTs, dispatchers, educators, first responders, and all EMS professionals. Thank you for your unwavering service, resilience, and commitment to protecting the health and safety of Iowans.

From all of us at the Iowa EMS Association — thank you for being there when it matters most, and may we always remember those who helped pave the way for the EMS profession we serve today.