South Haven Area Emergency Services Authority

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March 28, 2016 - Grant Supports Fire Prevention Efforts

SHAES has received a $1,542 fire prevention grant from FM Global, one of the world's largest commercial property insurers. The award will be used to assist with prefire planning to efficiently collect and track data related to local community buldings. The information will help the department to respond in an emergency situation, according to Ronald Wise, SHAES Executive Director.

Because fire continues to be the leading cause of property damage worldwide, during the past 35 years FM Global has continued millions of dollars in fire prevention grants to five service organizations around the globe. Locally, the company has awarded grants to a number of Michigan-based organizations.

“At FM Global, we strongly believe the majority of property damage is preventable, not inevitable,” said Michael Spaziani, manager of the fire prevention grant program. “Far too often, inadequate budgets prevent those organizations working to prevent fire from being as proactive as they would like to be. With additional financial support, grant recipients are actively helping to improve property risk in the communities they serve.”

Through its grant program, FM Gobal awards grant to department that best demonstrate a need for funding, where dollars can have the most demonstrable impact on preventing fire, or mitigating the damage it can quickly cause.

February 26, 2016 - Cold Water Rescue Practice

SHAES personnel recently practiced cold water rescue techniques on the icy Black River. SHAES is now equipped with eight cold water rescue suits that will facilitate quicker responses to emergencies. The department has also acquired an advanced rope deployment device to improve rescue capabilities. The device has the ability to shoot a rescue rope up to 500 feet. It replaces hand-thrown devices. Acquisition of the device was made possible in part through a grant from the South Haven Community Foundation.