The kits include three different-sized masks and accompanying tubing to deliver life-saving oxygen to most animals. Fire officials who spoke to the Dayton Daily News said one the masks could be modified to fit over a horse’s mouth.
“In our practice, we try to think of pets as part of the family and this is our way of also supporting family members in the community,” said Dr. Ann Impson, another veterinarian at My Favorite Pet.
Vandalia Fire Chief Chad Follick said having the oxygen masks sends a message to the community about how serious the department takes its rescue efforts.
“It gives us the opportunity to really prove to them that we are committed to saving that member of their family, just the same as mom or dad or little brother or little sister and that’s a huge thing,” Follick said.
“And when you think about the type of damage that’s done by smoke inhalation, the sooner you treat it, the better,” Impson said. “There is a lot of rebound that goes on. The fact that they are going to be able to administer it and limit the initial damage is huge.”
“We’ve had several people that will go back in to save their animal and risk their own lives,” said Butler Fire Chief Dan Alig. “We’ve had a couple injuries, burns and deaths.”
The mask kits cost $150 each.
“This is not a piece of equipment that we would normally be able to purchase and put on the apparatus because frankly, our biggest job is saving live people,” Follick said. “So, we spend all our available budget dollars on equipment and supplies that apply to humans.”
Follick and Alig said their departments do not keep track of the number of animals they encounter when responding to house fires, but Follick said he believes that Vandalia has encountered three injured or deceased cats within the last five years. He also added that his fire department lost two dogs and a cat in house fires in 2012.
There are some steps that citizens can take to help their pets stay out of danger and warn firefighters of their presence in the event they are not able to do so.
The fire officials warn residents about using heating lamps to warm up family pets resting on or near bedding that has the potential to catch fire.
“Get them inside to your warm house versus trying to make temporary heat for them in a garage or other space that may be a fire problem,” Alig said.
Residents can also put stickers on their home windows that alert public safety officials that there are animals on the premises, according to Impson.
“In 25 years, I have never heard of a person not saying that there was a pet inside,” Follick said. “Our education piece is get out, stay out. Tell us that the animals are there and we’ll get the animals. Nine times out of 10 when we get the animal, they are on their way out too. There are two places that you look for animals — on their way out or under the bed.”
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