Pawtucket police officers and firefighters stepped up to become certified lifeguards amid a lifeguard shortage that caused a major delay in the opening of the City’s community pool. Pawtucket’s Veterans Memorial Park Pool opened Saturday. “We heard the pool wasn’t going to open. The City needs this,” said Pawtucket firefighter Milton Giard. “The firefighters and police officers being here makes it a sense of community,” lifelong resident Marlena Stachowiak told ABC6 News. Pawtucket Police Sergeant Michael Cioe and his teenage son Ethan decided to give back to their community by both becoming certified lifeguards this summer. “Thought it was a great opportunity to get the community back out socialize with each other and have access to a public pool,” Sgt. Cioe explained.