Pursuant to State Law, the Grand Haven Charter Township Board approved the recommendation to appoint Captain Shawn Schrader as the new Fire/Rescue Chief for the Township.
Chief Schrader has been with the Township Fire/Rescue Department for about 22 years — moving through the ranks to become the Department′s Captain in 2018. Since then, Chief Schrader has continued his education and professional growth participating in local leadership training through the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce and attending the National Fire Academy for the Executive Chief Officer training.
Chief Schrader was unanimously recommended for the Fire/Rescue Chief by a Selection Committee that noted his strategic thinking, focus on core values, and understanding of the mission for the department.
Further, the Committee noted that the Fire/Rescue Department is moving through a transitional period related to the population growth of the Township (which is now estimated to exceed 19,000), the rapid growth of emergency calls (which is expected to exceed a record 1,500 calls in 2022), the need to respond to the national shortage of paramedics that is eroding ambulance service, and the requirement for significant investments in labor and capital costs.
As an example of upcoming capital costs, the Township Board recently approved the purchase of property on Ferris Street adjacent to the Township complex that will allow for the construction of the new Fire/Rescue station and the razing of the existing 25-year-old facility. (The current site of the fire/rescue station is expected to be used as the location of a needed water tower.)
Chief Schrader will be an integral part of the planning and implementation of these and other improvements of local and regional emergency services.