By Suzie Ziegler
WORCESTER, Mass. — An initiative begun nearly a year ago by an officer’s heartbroken widow has come to fruition. On Tuesday, Worcester police officers began training with new equipment meant to keep them safe in the water, WCVB reported.
Yellow floatation devices called “Manny Tubes” are now installed in every cruiser, along with new life vests and a rope. The Manny Tubes are named after Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia, who drowned last year while trying to save a teenager. After his death, Familia’s family created the Manny 267 Foundation, which is dedicated to preventing more drowning deaths, according to Boston.com. The non-profit donated the Manny Tubes to the police department.
Now, the department has started its new water safety program in honor of Familia’s legacy.
“Any piece of equipment I’m using and putting in the cruiser, I know it has the potential and probably will save multiple lives, which makes us feel pretty good,” said Lt. John Bossolt.
With warm weather approaching, officers want to be prepared for more water-related calls.
“When a call like this comes in, we are always the first ones on scene,” said Alex Maracallo, Familia’s cousin and also a member of the Worcester Police Department. “You don’t want to seem helpless.”
All 400 of the department’s officers signed up for the water safety training, according to the report.