Berrien County honors Silver Beach lifeguards; staff describe training, drone and daily duties

Berrien County commissioners recognized the lifeguard staff at Silver Beach County Park, praising the team for daily water-safety duties, rescues, first-aid response and public education.

Parks staff member Jill told the board the lifeguard team is "made up of about 17 guards," which allows lifeguard coverage seven days a week during the season. She said their primary responsibility is preventing accidents on the waterfront and that their secondary responsibility is emergency response and rescue.

"On any given day you will see these guards interacting with beach visitors and blowing their whistles and directing people based on bad behaviors, good behaviors, in an effort to prevent adverse incidents from happening," Jill said. She also thanked the team for reuniting lost children with families and for keeping watercraft out of the swim zone.

A lifeguard staff member described a remote-controlled rescue device the team calls "Emily." The staff member said Emily is stored at the middle lifeguard stand, can be remote-controlled into the water and is used for training; the staff member added they have not yet used Emily for a live rescue. The board also heard that the head lifeguard is Mia Wurster and assistant head guards are Chris Jordan, Eric Burrow and Kayla Valdez.

Jill reminded the public that July 31 is International Lifeguard Appreciation Day and urged visitors to follow posted rules and lifeguard instructions.

Commissioners and members of the public asked about coordination with law enforcement for on-water incidents; parks staff said deputies are typically available on the beach and the county maintains a relationship with Saint Joseph Department of Public Safety for additional response when needed.

The recognition was ceremonial; no formal action or funding change was recorded during the meeting.