South Haven Area Emergency Services Authority

South Haven Area Emergency Services is responsible for flying the safety flags at city beaches for the summer months. Lake Michigan conditions as determined by the National Weather Service are monitored by SHAES personnel.

Beach warning flags are placed at the city's seven public beaches every day between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The flags are changed throughout the day if lake conditions change. The flags are either green, yellow or red based on the conditions.

A numbering system for the nearby beach flag poles and pier safety boxes has been developed to assist during a time of emergency as a point of reference.

The status of the flags is also posted on the internet – http://www.south-haven.com/parks_and_recreation/beach_flag_information.php

Link to SHAES Beach Safety website – http://www.shaes.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=public:beach_safety

South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) is broadening its ability to respond to water rescue incidents by providing its paid-on-call members with water rescue equipment that stays with the responders all-of-the time.

Thanks to a grant from the Albemarle Corporation of South Haven, nineteen SHAES responders now have a fitted PFD - personalized flotation device (life jacket), helmet and throw-bag containing 50 feet of rope.

SHAES equipment (ambulances, rescue truck, engines) also contain this equipment, but frequently the paid-on-call members who respond from their home or workplace are the first to arrive on an emergency scene.

“Minutes, if not seconds, count in this type of emergency situation,” said Chief Brandon Hinz. “We are grateful for the continuing support of Albemarle as we strive to protect our community to the best of our ability.”

Hinz also thanked former chief Ron Wise who pursued funding for the acquisition.

In recent weeks SHAES staff has been conducting its annual water rescue drills on Lake Michigan and Lake Arvesta. A recent drill included members of the South Haven Police Department whose officers also have PFDs in their patrol cars.

See WOOD-TV coverage – https://www.woodtv.com/news/southwest-michigan/south-haven-crews-get-life-saving-tools-for-when-seconds-count/

This is a request that we typically make in the dead of winter when the snow is piled high around the fire hydrants in the SHAES area. Please help us now if there is foliage concealing from the street a hydrant where you live. Time is of the essence when we arrive on a fire scene so being able to locate the fire hydrant quickly is of great help. Thank You.

SHAES staff is currently flushing the water system and fire hydrants in the City of South Haven and Casco and South Haven Townships. This process will continue until the all hydrants have been inspected and flushed.

This is necessary to clean particulates and sediment from the system. If you have discolored water at your residence, run the water until it clears and also run your washing machine through one cycle to clear water from the lines and the machine.