Chief's Corner
Fire Chief's Corner
Welcome to the official website of the South Haven Fire Department. As you browse the site I would like to make sure that you check out the personnel page. This is where you can see the names, experience levels and time in the fire service of the firefighters and medics that protect this great community. Also check out the fire prevention page. The information provided is the same information provided in the Fire Prevention Week in October. This will give you, the parents, some information to talk with your kids about when they come home. Just last year we had a 5 year old boy who, because of the training provided annually, was able to hear the smoke detector, understand what it meant and wake his parents who had slept through the alarm. In this case, the fire department responded and found a fire in the attic of the home which was extinguished with minimal damage to the home. This smoke detector happened to be installed as part of the Fire Prevention Grant of 2006 with provided a smoke detector for every home in unincorporated Portage Township. This young man received an award from the fire department for his attentiveness and quick thinking. He was also given a Letter of Commendation from Congressman Visclosky and a flag flown over the Capitol.
On March 13th had our 6th annual Firefighter’s Ball at Duneland Falls. This is a fundraiser that was started by retired Chief Doug Patton in an effort not only to raise money to supplement our operations but to give the community a chance to have dinner and talk with the men and women that protect them on a daily basis. We had our department awards ceremony following dinner and awarded the following personnel:
Rookie of the Year: Randy Godbey
Medic of the Year: Asst. Chief Tina Nabhan
Firefighter of the Year: Firefighter/EMT John Holmen
Leadership Award: Captain Jesse Ponce de Leon
On May 5th your department will be participating in a fundraiser for the South Haven Boys and Girls Club. We will be playing in a 4 team basketball tournament with the Porter County Sheriff's Department, Portage Police Department and the Portage Fire Department. May 5th at 6pm we will compete again the Portage Fire Department. If we win, we will play the winner of the Portage PD and Porter County Sheriff game in the Emergency Services Championship. We currently have an 0-2 record against the Sheriff's Department and look to change it in a big way. Contact the South Haven Boys and Girls Club for admission prices.
During the first weekend of June we will be having our Community Fire Fest. This has gone from a one day event 5 years ago to what is now a 3 day family oriented weekend. We have bands for all three nights as well as plenty of games and food vendors along with what we have been told is one of the best fireworks shows around. This event is our thank you to the community. You all have supported us through some rough times and because of that support, we have been able to come out on top each time. This is a large event that takes a lot of hands to pull off. Outside help is always greatly appreciated as the firefighters still must respond to the calls that come in and somehow find time to see their families as well. Please contact the department after March 13th and you will be put in contact with the organizers.
In closing, I would just like to thank everyone for the support of these firefighter and medics. They have all invested many hours to the department and community each year to train and make sure the apparatus leave the station when the tones sound to provide the highest level of care possible. If you have an interest in becoming a member of the department please let us know. We are always looking for emergency personnel as well as individuals that may not want to fight fires or respond to medical emergencies. If you have the time to help we will find a spot for you.
Fire Chief Ron Brehmer Jr.