Berrien County is getting a lifesaving robot.
The Berrien County Board of Commissioners Thursday accepted the donation of an Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard, or EMILY, that can be used to help people struggling in the water off Silver Beach. Berrien County Parks Director Jill Adams told us more about EMILY.
“EMILY is essentially a water robot,” Adams said. “It is a remote controlled boat that our lifeguards and other first responders can deploy from the water’s edge, and it will get out to someone who may be struggling in the water.”
Adams says the lifeguards could use EMILY from shore to reach a struggling swimmer while they try to get themselves to that person, similar to tossing a life ring to someone, but with a much greater reach.
The family of someone who drowned in Lake Michigan is donating the lifesaving devices to both Berrien County and the city of New Buffalo.
“They came to us and they were interested in providing us with this tool that will go along with our lifeguards and our other devices and tools to help make Silver Beach and the area beaches safer.”
Adams says EMILY is four feet long and 26 pounds. Lifeguards could deploy it quickly in the event of an active drowning, giving the person something to cling to while they wait for rescue.
Staff will train on the use of EMILY with representatives of its manufacturer in June. More might be revealed about the donor at that time.
The cost of the device is $12,800.
