SOUTH HAVEN, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Monday, officials with the South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) announced that the organization is experiencing an “unprecedented” call volume.
Over the last two-plus days, officials say they received 41 emergency calls in total.
South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) vehicle. (Photo courtesy SHAES).
Officials say that they entered the weekend having answered 2,452 calls in 2021, compared to 2,225 responses at this time a year ago.
On Sunday, a call was received a report from someone who thought a man may have been washed off the pier. The caller said she saw the man walk out, but not return.
A search was conducted, but it turned out the man had left the pier safely after reviewing video footage of pier activity.
“If this had been a summer day, the RED flags would have been flying,” officials wrote. “The piers this weekend have been a dangerous place to be.”
On top of the large amount of calls, SHAES says high hospitalization rates are making things more complicated.
Since rates are so high, some patients have to be transferred to hospitals outside the South Haven community.
“This has occurred to SHAES four times in recent days, including one transport all the way to a Grand Rapids hospital with a person seriously injured in an accident in Casco Township,” officials said. “Our SHAES staff is under tremendous pressure as they strive to provide you the best service possible. Your support is greatly appreciated.”
To view the announcement, click here.
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