Framingham Police Buy Water Rescue Equipment With Grant

FRAMINGHAM, MA — After a drowning in Framingham earlier this summer, local police have received a more than $10,000 grant to purchase water rescue equipment. The grant comes from MutualOne Bank's foundation.

Here's more from a MutualOne Bank press release:

Mark R. Haranas, president and CEO of MutualOne Bank and chairman of the MutualOne Charitable Foundation, announced a $10,792.78 grant to the Framingham Police Department to fund the purchase of additional water rescue equipment for the department.

According to Framingham Police Chief Lester Baker, water emergencies have climbed sharply across the state this year and it has become apparent that appropriate water rescue equipment is essential to preserve lives.

"Police department personnel are usually the first on scene in an emergency. The desire and duty to assist someone in danger is strong in each of our officers. However, as we have seen recently, sometimes the outcomes in waterborne emergencies is tragic," said Baker. "Our officers need to be prepared for the worst, so the outcome can be the best. Our intention is to have every cruiser and unmarked police vehicle equipped with appropriate water rescue equipment."

"We want to ensure that our police personnel have the equipment they need to perform at their best, without putting themselves at unnecessary risk," said Haranas.

Established in 1998 as the philanthropic arm of MutualOne Bank, the MutualOne Charitable Foundation has since donated over $5.1 million to charitable, educational, and civic initiatives that improve and enrich the quality of life in Framingham, Natick, and surrounding communities.

MutualOne Bank, which operates under an 1889 state charter, has full-service offices at 828 Concord Street and One Lincoln Street in Framingham and at 49 Main Street in Natick, a Commercial Loan Center at 160 Cochituate Road in Framingham, and a Residential Loan Center at 49 Main Street in Natick. The Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and a member of the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF). All deposits are insured in full.