HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) responded to more than 2,000 calls for the seventh consecutive year, according to the department’s Annual Report for 2019.
The SHAES Authority serves the city of South Haven and the townships of Casco, Geneva and South Haven from three stations. During 2019 the agreement creating the SHAES Authority was extended for another 25 years.
“The SHAES staff is grateful to the community for its ongoing support,” said Chief Ronald Wise. “We remain committed to providing quality emergency service to our area.”
The 2,171 responses were the fourth highest in department history. The all-time record is 2,276 in 2016. In 2018 the department responded to 2,085 calls.
There were 701 fire alarm responses and 1,470 medical calls in 2019. There were 1,036 responses in the city of South Haven, followed by 437 in South Haven township, 306 in Geneva township and 325 in Casco township. SHAES provided mutual aid to other fire departments on 57 occasions and received assistance 15 times.
Total property losses from fire in 2019 totaled $1,872,463, including $1,087,272 in residential fires. Casco township experienced the biggest residential fire loss ($664,000), followed by the city of South Haven ($148,050), Geneva township ($142,122) and South Haven township ($133,100). Most of the residential fire losses came from three major blazes, two in Casco township and one in the city.
The department was particularly busy in the area of water-related incidents with several rescues needed on Lake Michigan. There was one drowning. The staff also worked with Emergency Management officials in Allegan and Van Buren Counties developing shoreline emergency responses.
There were no civilian fire-related injuries or injuries in 2019. There were three incidents in which a firefighter was injured either at an emergency scene or other work-related occurence
The department is comprised of 15 fulltime staff and 28 paid-on-call firefighters protecting 121 square miles from three stations. The department continued an expanded community-wide pre-planning and inspection program. The staff conducted inspections or related tests at 917 locations in the SHAES coverage area. That included 644 short-term rental inspections over the year.
Chief Wise announced during 2019 his intention to retire after 31 years of service at SHAES, including as chief since 2008, effective September 30, 2020. A search for his successor is underway.
The department continued its active public education programs with safety presentations to people at schools, senior living facilities, businesses and to civic groups. An estimated 500 children and adults attended the annual Fire Safety Fun Night.
