South Haven Area Emergency Services Authority

As we close out 2025, it’s hard to know where to start, so I’ll begin at the top. So far this year, SHAES has responded to 2,913 calls for service, 214 more than 2024, continuing an average annual increase of about 5% since our inception in 1996. We saw strong Paid-On-Call recruitment, added Career positions, welcomed new hires, grew our Cadet program and honored the retirements, resignations and transitions of valued members who helped shape our organization.

We strengthened community relationships, continued fire prevention in schools and among our elderly residents, furthered our robust area wide fire inspections, completed extensive training, and made key capital purchases, including grass trucks and a fireboat. Thanks to generous donations and grants, we placed new safety equipment and power tools into service and enhanced our mental wellness program.

We also celebrated promotions, with more on the way, and held several successful fundraisers. 2025 also brought moments of loss. We remember and honor SHAES members, respected public safety leaders from neighboring departments, and friends of our organization whose impact will always be remembered. Every achievement this year was made possible by the support of our Authority Board, the trust of our community, and the dedication of SHAES members who serve 24/7/365.

Emergencies don’t take days off, and neither does our commitment to each other and to those we serve. Looking ahead to 2026, we have much to be proud of and even more to look forward to. Next year marks 30 years of SHAES, carrying forward a tradition of service that began as SHFD in 1888.

We are truly grateful for the continued trust you place in us to protect your families, your property, and your community.

As I write this rundown, our call-for-service total continues to climb as crews are dispatched multiple times, back-to-back, on New Year’s Eve. I’m extremely proud to say that every one of those calls was covered. This is exactly what we’ve been working toward, and it reflects the progress we’ve made.

Happy New Year. I look forward to sharing more regular updates in 2026. Brandon Hinz, Executive Director

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

See media coverage of Chief Hinz's Report – https://www.wsjm.com/2026/01/04/shaes-director-highlights-busy-2025/

SHAES welcomes new career members Jacob Infante and Corey Heuer. Jacob joins us from the Graafschap Fire Department while Corey from the Hamilton Fire Department. They are currently EMTs on track to become Paramedics.

The SHAES organization includes: ▪16 career FF/Paramedics ▪FF/EMT-Basic/Inspector ▪Training Officer ▪Deputy Chief ▪Executive Director ▪23 Paid on Call members and seven Cadet Firefighters that respond direct to the scene when called upon.