New oxygen masks to help furry friends
By Prentiss Findlay
The Post and Courier
Nala, a golden retriever, demonstrates how firefighters can use an oxygen recovery mask that will revive a pet that has suffered smoke inhalation.
The Post and Courier
Engineer Stacey Parris pets Nala, a golden retriever being held by engineer Andrew MacIver at Mount Pleasant Fire Station 3 before they demonstrate the new pet oxygen recovery mask.
MOUNT PLEASANT — Nala the golden retriever, Buddy the cockapoo and Rufus the basset hound didn't look thrilled about wearing an oxygen mask.
Who needs a plastic, cone-shaped muzzle on a muggy Monday? At the urging of their owners, though, they cooperated for the cameras and momentarily modeled the Fire Department's latest acquisition.
Dog oxygen masks are now at each of the town's five fire stations, courtesy of Invisible Fence of Coastal Carolinas. They come for small, medium and large snouts. Cat masks were donated, too, but not demonstrated.
"We strive for excellence in everything we do, and this is just another step in that direction," Mayor Harry Hallman said.
Much like humans, pets trapped in fires need oxygen treatment because of the respiratory effects of smoke inhalation. "It gives us an opportunity to put an emphasis on another important part of our population," Fire Chief Herb Williams said. "Pets are such an important part of people's lives. We will probably be using this sooner rather than later."
He said there have been many instances of a dog or cat being overcome by smoke or fumes during a fire. Sometimes, they hide in a structure because they are scared, which makes them more susceptible to injury, he said.
The masks, valued at $65 each, were demonstrated at Fire Station 3. Afterward, Nala seemed startled by the clapping of a small crowd at a press conference. "I think it's great. Animals are a part of our family, too," said Amy Vargn, Buddy's owner.
The Spartanburg, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island fire departments also have animal oxygen masks.
The Charleston Fire Department uses its human masks on canines and felines. At two recent blazes, firefighters performed mouth-to-snout resuscitation on dogs. Neither dog lived. "That's something to put on our radar screen," said Mark Ruppel, department public information officer.
The North Charleston Fire Department is considering acquiring pet oxygen masks to better serve the community, said Battalion Chief Eric Phillips. "We are presently looking into this matter," Phillips said in an e-mail.
An estimated 40,000 pets die annually in fires. Typically, they succumb to smoke inhalation. In most states, emergency responders are unequipped to deal with what the town described as a crisis.
"We hope that by donating oxygen mask kits that we will contribute to saving more pets and hopefully protect pet owners that may risk their own life to save a pet in a fire," said Bill Swayne, owner of Invisible Fence of Coastal Carolinas.
Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@postandcourier.com.
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lemonhead (anonymous) says...
i love animals,but firefighters are there to save HUMANS from a fire they have enough to worry about with out having to worry about animals too,granted great if they save an animal but a humans life is worth more saving then an animal
August 26, 2008 at 4:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
auger (anonymous) says...
At a typical house fire, there are more firefighters on scene than you can imagine. Many are standing by as relief and/or safety teams. Why shouldn't they be allowed to save a pets life while they are waiting their turn at the beast?
At the price per mask quoted in the story, I would be happy to donate a couple of units to my local department. Remember, single and older folks value their pets as much as parents value their children.
August 26, 2008 at 5:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ccfirefighterchick (anonymous) says...
As a pet owner, I am thrilled at the idea that they could rescue my 'baby' should a fire break out. The masks are not overly expensive, and like auger, I would be more than happy to donate a couple.
Some of us value our pet like a child. There are those that can't have children of their own, and we usually care for our animal as we would a human child. I know that my basset hound is extremely spoiled and treated better than most children in this country are. It would completely destroy my life if something happen to that floppy-eared, wet-nosed, tail-wagging 'person' that lives with me.
August 26, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DoaMM (anonymous) says...
That's awesome. More pets are rescued from house fires than humans.
Kudos to the maker and the fire services that keep 'em in stock!
August 26, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
auger (anonymous) says...
Prentiss Findlay wrote this story. Hopefully, she reads the comments.
OK Prentiss, time to pay the piper. So far, two of us have commented that we would donate two units each to our local FD's. Problem is, we don't know where to send the money. Any chance you could do a little research and maybe set something up that would allow us to contribute the funds? This could really be great.
August 26, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Perspective (anonymous) says...
......
....but a press conference. Geez... Give me a break.
August 26, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
This is great. How many pets have alerted their owners when a fire broke out and saved their lives?
It's time to give a little something back to these creatures that give so much to us.
August 26, 2008 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ForPnC (anonymous) says...
I have reflective stickers on my front and back doors that read:
"IN CASE OF EMERGENCY PLEASE RESCUE US!"
2 Dogs
2 Cats
In case I'm not there or am incapcitated, it lets emergency personnel know that there are pets inside. You can get them at Super Pets.
August 26, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
luvmydogs59 (anonymous) says...
You can also get free stickers from the ASPCA, just go to their site and order them. It says In case of fire or emergency, Animals Inside!! Has lines for number of pets and what kind, the name of your vet and the phone number.
I think this is a wonderful thing that is being done...as RTC said, many a pet has alerted their companions to fire to get them out on time. My dogs are my "kids" and they mean the world to me. To have these masks to try to save the lives of a pet is a wonderful asset to any fire department!
August 26, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
ccfirefighterchick, You have a basset hound? Those are some of the sweetest dogs. I saw a lady on Folly Beach the other day walking a basset hound that had light brown spots.
Sometimes I house-sit for these people who have dogs. They have a black lab and an English setter. The English setter will usually stay in their room but the lab will jump right on the bed next to me while I'm reading. I had to be careful the last time I was there about letting them outside. I'd only let them out for a few minutes at a time because of the heat and let them stay longer once the sun went down and it was cooler.
August 26, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
walleyedwoman1215 (anonymous) says...
Prentiss is a man. Hopefully he'll update this w/ info about where to send donations.
I don't have any children, but I can't imagine running out of my burning house without my little dog. OTOH, self-prservation is our most powerful instinct, so never say never :-)
I think the masks are wonderful!
August 26, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ccfirefighterchick (anonymous) says...
This is a reply that I received from Prentiss Findlay. Hope it helps anyone that wants to assist the departments in getting this equipment.
"I would suggest calling Martine Wolfe at the Town of the Mount Pleasant. She is the public information officer, and she should be able to steer you in the right direction.884-8517. Prentiss Findlay"
August 26, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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