The North Attleboro/Plainville Rotary Club recently made a donation of Manny Tubes to the Plainville and North Attleborough Police.
At a Plainville Select Board Meeting on Monday, Nov. 28, , Chief James Floyd accepted a donation of 15 Manny Tubes on behalf of the department. Another 15 were donated to the NAPD on Tuesday, Dec. 6.
The Manny Tube is a flotation device similar to what many lifeguards use when they are on duty. It’s yellow and features the letters “PPD” for the Plainville Police Department and the Manny 267 Foundation insignia.
The Manny 267 Foundation insignia is dedicated to and memorializes the late Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia who died in June 2021 while attempting to rescue a drowning teenager at the Green Hill Park Pond in Worcester. The Manny 267 Foundation, set up by Familia’s family, is working to make sure what happened to him never happens to another first responder.
“The untimely death of Officer Familia was devastatingly tragic as he gave the ultimate sacrifice while trying to save a young community member from drowning,” Floyd said. “Unfortunately, this incident is a sad reminder that water-related incidents are a hidden danger officers respond to during their tour of duty. On behalf of the department, we would like to thank the North Attleboro/Plainville Rotary Club for their donation of Manny Tubes as they, along with our training, will be another helpful tool in our water-related emergency responses.”
On average, police officers receive about eight hours of water training while in the police academy. The Plainville Police Department is currently pursuing a refresher course in January 2023 in partnership with the Hockomock YMCA to ensure all officers are up-to-date on training.
At the training, Plainville Police Officers will work with Hockomock YMCA instructors at the YMCA pool facilities and practice using the Manny Tubes as they are another tool that first responders can use to keep themselves and others safe.
