South Haven Area Emergency Services Authority

Click to see Published 2025 Annual Report – http://www.shaes.org/dokuwiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=public:shaes_annual_report_2025.pdf

Click to see 2025 Year in Review Highlights – http://www.shaes.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=public:2025_review

South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) continued a trend of increased responses, particularly medical related, during 2025, according to the department’s Annual Report.

Marking its 29th year, the SHAES Authority serves the city of South Haven and the townships of Casco, Geneva and South Haven. The department is comprised of 22 full-time staff and 31 paid-on-call firefighters protecting 97 square miles of land and several miles of Lake Michigan shoreline from three stations. The department has 22 members who are licensed EMT-Paramedics, 1 EMT- Advanced, 12 EMT-Basic, 1 Emergency Medical Responder, 8 Cadets and 21 who are certified firefighter instructors.

For the twelfth consecutive year, the number of calls has increased from the previous year to a record 2,920 incidents. The previous record, set in 2024, was 2,699. It was the greatest increase in call volume from year-to-year. A decade ago (2015) the call volume was 2,183.

Four new career members were welcomed to SHAES during 2025, bringing valuable skills and fresh perspectives to the department.

“Our people are the foundation of SHAES,” said executive director Brandon Hinz. “The continued growth, development and transition within our ranks reflect both opportunity and the natural evolution of a strong organization.” Annual requirements for Fire and EMS continuing education take a considerable amount of time, but are necessary in order to keep members’ skills honed, according to Hinz.

In 2025 there were 2,021 calls on the medical side compared to 1,851 in 2024. Looking back a decade (2015), medical calls numbered 1,704. In 2025, 1,138 of the medical responses required Advance Life Support (ALS) services. Last year there were 1,204 calls in the city of South Haven, followed by South Haven township 815, Casco township 470 and Geneva township 378. SHAES provided mutual aid to other fire departments and EMS agencies on 53 occasions.

Property losses from fire in 2025 dropped to $524,473compared to $812,050 the year before. Losses by governmental unit were city of South Haven, $271,273, South Haven township, $112,000, Casco township, $95,220, and Geneva township, $46,000. By comparison, the property saved from fire loss during the responses total totaled $13,800,000.

“In 2025, we continued strengthening both individual staff skills and specialized response capabilities,” said Hinz.

“The SHAES’ West Side Rope Rescue Team was established and the SHAES Dive Team saw increased participation and continued growth.”

Four new career members were welcomed to SHAES and a firefighter and two Cadets were added to the Paid-on-Call roster. Firefighter/paramedic Brian Montgomery was promoted to captain.

Retiring after distinguished service were Lieutenants Dustin Guminski (25 years) and Mark Kaput (25 years), FF Patrick Quinn (17 years) and FF/Paramedic David Griessel (12 years).

SHAES continued its robust inspection program which made 2,496 contacts, including 816 short-term rental and 95 food vendor fire safety inspections during the year. In partnership with the American Red Cross and state-sponsored MI Prevention program, SHAES staff installed 280smoke/carbon monoxide alarms throughout the community free of charge.

“This is an on-going service provided to our community,” said Hinz. “A simple phone call to 269-639-1496 will result in the service being provided.” Free smoke alarm sign-ups have also been posted at area schools and Van Buren Senior Services.

There were no civilian fire-related deaths in 2025. There were three emergency incidents in which responders were injured requiring medical attention.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets a benchmark goal of 8 minutes for fire/EMS responses to an incident. This is from the time of dispatch to the arrival on the scene of the incident by the first unit. SHAES during 2025 had an average response time of 5 minutes, 48 seconds. The average response time by unit of government: city of South Haven, 4:07; South Haven township, 5:09, Geneva township, 6:52; and Casco township, 7:02. The department bolstered personnel presence at its township stations to improve response times.

Recognitions awarded during the year included FF/EMT Ronald Wise, Firefighter of the Year, and Training Officer Shawn Smith, Leadership Award.

Department members presented the fire safety message to more than 1,100 kids at local schools and sponsored its 25th annual Fire Safety Fun Fair. The department also participated in the city-sponsored Touch-a-Truck event. Two successful pancake breakfasts brought the community together while supporting department initiatives.

“Community risk reduction and public engagement remain central to our mission,” said Hinz. “Through prevention programs and events, we strive to build strong relationships while improving public safety.”

The SHAES Honor Guard participated in several community events including the annual Salute to Veterans and a 9/11 Vigil at the downtown Firefighters Memorial. The name of deceased Fire Chief Sherman (Sherm) Dykstra was added to the Michigan Firefighter Memorial.

Three new off-road response trucks were put into service, and an order was placed for a custom-built fireboat that will enhance the department’s ability to respond to emergencies on Lake Michigan and surrounding waterways. Donations from local and regional organizations, along with fund-raising efforts, funded the purchase of new battery-powered extrication equipment.