You may well see a rather sizable emergency responder team at Silver Beach County Park next Monday morning, and if all goes as scheduled, it will be a test — only a test. Berrien County authorities are telling us ahead of time that multiple jurisdictions will stage a Water Rescue Drill and Emergency Response Training program next Monday morning at Silver Beach.
The Berrien County Parks Department will conduct a water rescue and emergency response drill that day from 10:00am until 11:30am at the Lake Michigan waterfront in St. Joseph.
The purpose of the drill is to sharpen the water rescue skills of the Silver Beach Lifeguard team and help Park Staff understand how area emergency response agencies coordinate and respond to incidents that occur at Silver Beach. Emergency responders participating in this training include: the United States Coast Guard, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department Marine Division, Berrien County 911/Public Safety Dispatch, St. Joseph Public Safety Department, and the team from the Medic 1 Ambulance Service.
The Berrien County Parks Department asks everyone to remember the following safety tips while enjoying area beaches this summer:
- Never Swim Alone
- Observe Water Safety Signs and Lifeguard Warnings
- Where Available, Always Swim Near a Lifeguard
- Never Drink Alcohol Before Swimming
- Respect the Power of the Surf
- Learn To Swim
- Keep Off Piers During High Seas
Monday’s planned drills are for training purposes, and authorities ask that the public not panic during the test run that morning. It’s only a test, after which they will return you to your regularly scheduled sunbathing or volleyball session at the beach.
