When the alarm is sounded that a swimmer or boater is in trouble on the water, the call goes to emergency management who puts in motion the appropriate response team. These teams train to ensure that they are ready for emergencies related to their area of expertise. This year was Allegan County’s turn to host the Region 5 Dive Exercise, so the water-rescue and underwater search teams gathered on September 13, 2025, along the Kalamazoo River near Saugatuck and Douglas.
“This was a full-scale training event designed to enhance water-rescue capabilities and strengthen interagency coordination,” shared Sarah A. Clark, Emergency Management Coordinator. “The exercise brought together dive teams, law enforcement marine patrol, fire, and emergency management partners from Allegan County, Berrien County, Cass County, Kalamazoo County, St. Joseph County, and Van Buren County. The mission was to test and refine regional response procedures for water-related emergencies, ensuring that divers and support crews can operate safely, effectively, and in unison when lives are on the line.”
The public had been informed that the training would happen and what to expect. Beginning at 8am, the participants were engaged in exercises where boaters and paddlers could expect to see an increase in public safety presence. The exercises included dive boats and shore-based rescue working in marked training areas. To protect the divers and vessels, there were short-term holds within the designated training zones…