South Haven Area Emergency Services Authority

Firefighter/Paramedic Paul Quinn has been promoted to the rank of Fire Captain for South Haven Area Emergency Services. Paul will oversee day-to-day operations for his shift as well as assume responsibilities as the department training officer, according to Chief Ron Wise.

Paul has served the South Haven community for 26 years, first with the former Casco Fire Department and for 18 years as a fulltime SHAES firefighter-paramedic. He is a second generation firefighter, serving with his firefighter father, Jim Quinn. He is certified as a Level 1 Fire Instructor for the State of Michigan and has headed the SHAES fire prevention education bureau for that last 16 years. In 2019 he was chosen by his peers as the department's Firefighter of the Year.

The Scott Club recently completed the installation of a state-of-the-art fire detection system at their historic building. SHAES staff participated in the planning for the installation of this system. The stately Queen Anne style building, constructed in 1893, is a Michigan historic site. The fire detection system facilitates the notification of the fire department thru an alarm company. This project was made possible through grants from the Rotary Club of South Haven and the Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation. This is the second installation of a fire detection system in a historically important building in our community. The first was at the Historical Association of South Haven (formerly Hartman School) in 2017.

Thank you Sturgis Bank and Trust Company for your contribution in support of a SHAES initiative to acquire cleaning equipment to safeguard our first responders, The second Friday of each month is dedicated as “Jean Day” at the bank. For a donation of $5 employees can wear jeans on that Friday! Sturgis has 12 branches and each month a different branch of gets to choose the charity in their community that they would like to give the funds. All branches contribute and the total amount raised is donated to a charity. The South Haven offices chose SHAES. Recently the employees presented to Chief Ron Wise a check for $450. Pictured from left to right are Basilia Ruiz, Krissy Garland, Stephanie Timmer, Sandi Cagle, Steve Gage, Fire Chief Ron Wise, Rhonda Wendzel, and Johnathon Borsodi.

Our annual Fire Safety Fun Night was attended by more than 500 kids and adults on Thursday, Oct. 10. We are grateful to our sponsors for supporting this event. Thank you Fox 17 for your coverage – https://fox17online.com/2019/10/10/over-500-kids-adults-have-fun-at-south-haven-fire-station-for-fire-safety-fun-night/

First responders from South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) were recognized Wednesday (Sept. 4) by the City of South Haven for their actions in making rescues on Lake Michigan this summer. SHAES has responded to numerous Lake Michigan alerts most notably on July 19 and August 21 when a total of five people were rescued in the incidents.

Pictured, from left to right: David Griesel, Tim Quinn, Brian J. Horan, Brandon Hinz, Steven Cavadas, Zach Kenreich, Phillip Quinn, Ron Wise, Shawn Quinn, Brian Montgomery, Keith Bierhalter, James Quinn and Cody Sedlak. Also honored but not pictured were Patrick Quinn, Amanda Quinn, Ron Ridley and Dawn Hinz.