Despite extensive stay home orders, quarantine conditions, and reduced mobility in general, the team at the South Haven Area Emergency Services ended 2020 having responded to a record number of calls according to the department’s Annual Report released today.
The South Haven Area Emergency Services Authority serves the city of South Haven and the townships of Casco, Geneva and South Haven from three stations, and they were a busy lot in the year just passed.
Emergency responses totaled 2,358 compared to 2,171 in 2019. The previous record had been 2,276 back in 2016.
Executive Director Brandon Hinz says, “Our call volume showed a significant increase in medical-related responses,” and adds, “Even with the restrictions and hurdles that had to be endured due to the COVID pandemic, our staff remained committed to providing quality service to our residents and visitors.”
There were 1,730 calls on the medical side compared to 1,470 in 2019. Fire alarms were down from 701 to 628. The emergency responders have now had to respond to more than 2,000 calls in each of the past eight years.
There were 995 calls in the city of South Haven followed by South Haven township at 535, Geneva township with 398 and Casco township at 337. South Haven Area Emergency Services also provided mutual aid to other fire departments on 93 occasions and received assistance themselves 30 times.
Property losses from fire totaled $422,600, a significant decline from the $1,872,463 reported in 2019. The largest property loss occurred in Geneva township ($251,100) followed by Casco township ($95,000), city of South Haven ($55,700) and South Haven township ($20,800).
Hinz credited the property loss reduction to an active inspection program which made nearly 560 contacts, including 398 short-term rental contacts during the year.
The department was again busy in the area of water-related incidents on Lake Michigan and in the Black River. There were three drownings and 10 water related rescues.
There were no civilian fire-related injuries or deaths in 2020. There were six incidents in which a responder was injured either at an emergency scene or other work-related occurrence.
Hinz became Executive Director (Chief) in July upon the retirement of Ron Wise who served the department for 31 years. Keith Bierhalter was promoted to Deputy Chief and Paul Quinn to Captain. Ron Ridley was honored as Firefighter of the Year. The department added eight paid-on-call firefighters.
Limitations caused by COVID didn’t hinder SHAES from sponsoring its annual Fire Safety Week, albeit virtually and through drive-bys at local schools and senior care facilities. The department participated in a water safety awareness initiative by printing more than 10,000 placemats for restaurants in cooperation with the Bronson Safe Kids Coalition.
Grants from community organizations and businesses made it possible for the department to acquire water rescue kits for the paid-on-call staff and purchase two EMS bikes to be used at local events and in congested areas. Firefighter gear washers and dryers were installed at each station.
South Haven Area Emergency Services, which marks its 25th year in 2021, is comprised of 15 fulltime staff and 32 paid-on-call firefighters protecting 121 square miles in Michigan’s Great Southwest.
A copy of the Annual Report is available on the department’s website at this link: http://SHAES.org.
The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of Professional Photographer Tom Renner of South Haven.
