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Matt Dey has been chosen by his peers as the Firefighter of the Year. A member of the department’s paid-on-call staff since 2018, Dey exemplifies through his actions the selfless commitment to community by SHAES responders.
“Matt came to us from the Buchanan Fire Department,” said SHAES Executive Director Brandon Hinz. “He moved to the South Haven area and sought us out which is a pretty good sign. He has not let us down.”
Three times during the 2020 summer season he was a key responder during water-rescue responses by the department. In June, after receiving a report of kayakers being blown out into Lake Michigan and spotting them through binoculars, he commandeered a nearby jet ski and was able to reach the distressed parties and render assistance until the SHAES boat arrived on scene. Later in the summer, he assisted kayakers who became swamped in the Black River while attempting to venture out into the lake. As the summer concluded and while on duty as part of the department’s Beach Safety Flag patrol, he witnessed two people being washed off the South Pier into the lake. He reached an unconscious male and was able to bring him to shore where the victim was revived.
Years of service awards: Gerald Sajewski, 35 years; Ronald Wise and Tom Renner, 30 years; Brad Filbrandt, Brian Horan, Sr., and Donald Quinn, 25 years; Dustin Guminski and Mark Kaput, 20 years; Cesar Garcia, 15 years; David Griessel, Drexal Haner, Phillip Quinn, Shawn Smith and Tim Vanholt, 10 years; Zachary Kenreich, Cody Sedlak and Jon Vandenberg, 5 years.
Three members of the SHAES governing board were recognized for their service – Casco Township supervisor Allan Overhiser, 35 years; South Haven Township supervisor Ross Stein, 25 years; and Geneva Township Supervisor Nancy Whaley, 20 years.
New paid-on-call members are William Brennan, Jacob Clemons, Zachary Hanner, Phillip Poole, Aaron Sawyer and Kevin Wildey. Cody Sedlak and Amanda Quinn were promoted to fulltime firefighter/paramedic and Drexal Haner was hired as fulltime assistant fire inspector.