The Saugeen Shores Life Saving Club, in collaboration with the Saugeen Shores Fire Department, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Police Services and Bruce County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are conducting a mock emergency drill at the Port Elgin Beach on the evening of July 5 at 7:35 p.m.

Prior to the mock emergency, the collaborative group will be conducting a public Water Safety Information Session and Demonstration.

This mock emergency will show the community’s emergency resources and how they work together to support one another during a water emergency.

There will be an information booth situated beside the drill scene where local residents and tourists can collect information from Red Cross, Lifesaving Society and the Saugeen Shores Life Saving Club about water safety, fire safety and lifesaving. Contact information for emergency services will also be provided.

Every year in Ontario there are approximately 178 drownings in and around water ways. The most recent coroner’s data indicates there has been eight percent increase from 2008 to 2012, with 64 percent of those deaths occurring between the months of May and September.

Emergency service partners are aiming to educate residents and tourists to be safe in and around the water this summer. The main focus of the mock emergency will be “Boat Sober”, “Lifejackets Save Lives” and “Get Trained”.