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Community Steps Up for SHAES Water Safety Initiatives

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The generosity of the community is allowing South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) to add to its toolbox of water rescue devices.

A department fundraiser and contributions from the community has allowed the department to purchase an underwater sonar search device for its dive team, according to SHAES executive director Brandon Hinz.

The department’s staff recently sponsored a drive-thru pancake breakfast that netted just over $3,000 toward the purchase. The Sturgis Bank and Trust Company and its employees donated $1,000 and the fundraising initiative went over the top with a generous contribution from Don and Carole Hodgman of South Haven.

The Sturgis gift came in a unique way. Each month the bank hosts a “Jean Day”. All of the employees at its branches are encouraged to participate. The branch banks choose a beneficiary. This month the employees at the South Haven branches selected SHAES. The bank matched the employee’s contribution.

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In addition to acquiring the sonar device, SHAES is able to purchase custom-fit life jackets for its fulltime staff. In the past the responders used jackets that are kept in the apparatus. Now the jackets will be worn by responding on-duty staff in an effort to reduce the time needed to facilitate the start of a rescue. The department is also improving its accountability system at water rescue scenes, according to Hinz.

SHAES earlier this summer expanded its drone capabilities for water-rescue and other emergency scenes. A year ago the department equipped its paid-on-call staff with life jackets and throw-devices to be carried in the responder’s personal vehicles. The department also recently increased the size of its dive team staff.

SHAES is supporting a City of South Haven initiative aimed at better communication with the public regarding city beach conditions through a texting system. The public can sign up to receive text messages thru BEACHES at 888777. More than 1,000 people have signed up for this free service.

In cooperation with organizations and businesses such as Bronson-Safe Kids, the South Haven Visitors Bureau and Apple Insurance of South Haven, the department continues to support messaging efforts about water safety.

PICTURED:

Steve Gage, Chief Lending Officer and President of the Western Market for Sturgis Bank & Trust Company; SHAES Chief Brandon Hinz;  Stephanie Timmer, Senior Vice President of the Western Market, for Sturgis Bank & Trust Company.