Stamford will soon become one of the first cities to provide first responders patrolling the waterfront with new gear that has the potential to save lives.

The Harbor Management Commission is donating 14 man overboard beacons for police officers, firefighters and marina crew workers to wear. The units can be attached to life jackets that inflate if someone falls in the water.

The device is then triggered to send out a signal that will help rescuers quickly find the person.

"We go out in the worst weather to save people. We go out at night – those are high risk activities," says Stamford Fire Chief Trevor Roach. "We pull people out of the water, and when you pull someone out of the water, your chances of going overboard increase."

Officials hope to have the beacons, which cost around $300, in use by this coming weekend.