Firefighter Shawn Smith was presented the SHAES Leadership Award during the department's annual banquet on May 5. Now in his eighth year with SHAES, Shawn was recognized for the job he has done increasing the department's level of skill, knowledge and patient care. He is pictured with Chief Ron Wise and Deputy Chief Tony Marsala.

James A. Quinn is the SHAES 2017 Firefighter of the Year. Jim has been a member of the SHAES paid-on-call staff for 26 years. He is a first responder from the department's Casco Township station and a member of the Honor Guard.

The compassion award was recommended by Dawn’s peers for going above and beyond good patient care. On November 22, 2018 SHAES was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident with entrapment. Dawn responded to the scene directly from home while off duty and found a 10-year- old female patient trapped in the vehicle. Dawn did a quick assessment of the condition of the patient and relayed it to incoming units. Dawn stayed with the little girl while patient care and extrication were being performed and explaining to her what was going on each step of the way. When the little girl was being prepared for transport to Bronson hospital in Kalamazoo, she asked Dawn not to leave her. Dawn did not hesitate and climbed into the ambulance to stay and comfort the little girl. While transporting the patient to the hospital, Dawn received permission from the patient’s mother to follow up on how she was doing after treatment at the hospital. Dawn not only kept up with the patient healing process, Dawn bought a gift for the little girl for Christmas. This is a true example of what patient care is and why our staff makes such a difference in our community, it is not just a job. They do this job because they care.

Our dedicated staff has made a considerable difference in the lives of our residents as well as guests that have passed through the South Haven area. SHAES staff over the past year performed CPR on many patients. The following staff are acknowledged for their efforts with saving human life: Receiving “I Made CPR Count” pins were Ronald Washegesic, Brian T Horan, Brian J Horan, Brad Filbrandt, Dustin Guminski, Zachary Kenriech, David Griessel, James Lindemulder, Cesar Garcia, Matt Russell, Brandon Hinz, Dawn Hinz, Steve Jones,Tim Van Holt, Patrick Quinn, Tim Quinn, Zachary Church, Brian Montgomery, Johanna Quinn and Paul Quinn.

Chief Wise issued the oath to three new fire fighters – Zachary Mulac, Isaac Tate and Danny Delia.

A newly created committee has taken training to a new level. The committee consists of fulltime and paid-on call staff with all types of experience and training. Commended at the annual banquet by Chief Wise and Deputy Chief Tony Marsala were Shawn Smith, Brian Montgomery, Tim Quinn, Owen Ridley, Ronald Washagesic and Mark Kaput.

Firefighter 2 & Haz-Mat Operations - Daniel Delia, Isaac Tate, Zachary Mulac, Thomas Kuhn Fire Inspector - Zachary Kenreich EMT Basic - Brian Horan, Jr.