About Us

The Ely Fire Department is an all-volunteer organization made up of dedicated members that serve roughly 75 square miles. The department provides services including, but not limited to, fire suppression, hazmat operations, rescue services, and non-transport emergency medical services. Our fire district includes the City of Ely, the Township of College, the Township of Putnam and the unincorporated community of Western.  Portions of Interstate 380, US Highway 30, Palisades State Park and Kirkwood Community College also fall within our district.

 Through aid agreements, we are called upon to help other jurisdictions, including the City of Cedar Rapids Fire Department, Solon Fire Department, Jefferson Monroe Fire Department, all Linn County Fire Departments and the Eastern Iowa Airport. The airport is the second largest in Iowa, abuts our district to the west, with the riskiest time of flight being takeoff and landing often over our first due response area.

 Our fire district has been experiencing a population growth over the past few decades that is turning farmland into populated neighborhoods. The fire district has an estimated population of over 6,000 residents and that number continues to rapidly increase.

 The 21-member department is led by a group of elected officers that include the Fire Chief, 2 Assistant Chiefs, 3 Lieutenants and the Secretary/Treasurer.  This leadership team is responsible for day-to-day operations and ensures members are provided with all the equipment, tools and training necessary to effectively serve the community.

 We currently hold monthly fire and monthly EMS training in-house. In addition to regularly scheduled training we partner with organizations like the Iowa Fire Service, Lisbon-Mt Vernon Ambulance, Area Ambulance and Kirkwood Community College to offer hands-on trainings like Grain Rescue, Propane Emergency Response, live-fire training and EMS simulator training.

 Our fire station, dedicated in 2001, is located at 1300 Main Street in Ely and houses the departments firefighting and rescue apparatus. It has a meeting room, offices and a weight room.

 In addition to running the emergency response fire department, the firefighters manage a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that raises money to cover expenses beyond what can be paid for with local taxes.  Their main event is the July Fourth Fireman’s Breakfast, which has been going on for over 50 year and is considered one of the best in Iowa.