Mask Donations Help Fire Rescuers Save Pets
MIAMI – (CBSMiami.com) – Fire departments across South Florida will soon be receiving a large shipment of pet oxygen masks that will be placed in fire trucks and rescue vehicles.
The Invisible Fence Brand will be donating the masks after startling statistics suggest that more than 150,000 pets die in building and house fires each year. Invisible Fence owner Chris Streeter said personal reasons motivated him to get involved.
"When I was 12, we had a house fire. Our dog 'muffin' got left behind,it was really sad situation but firefighters got her out of the building and she lived. That stayed with me," Streeter said.
This donation is a small part of the Invisible Fence Brands to equip every fire station in the United States and Canada with pet oxygen masks and it's a goal being dubbed "Project Breathe."
It's a tool that can also be useful for rescue dogs, said Julie Padelford who is a member of the Florida Task Force.
"In Florida our biggest problem is heat exhaustion and dogs don't sweat," Padelford said. "We are going to be able to use it when we have dogs that get overheated and when working in environments that are hot and dusty. We'll be ableto bring them back quickly."
Along with the kits, South Florida firefighters will be trained in using the equipment. Firefighters will be receiving education in handling dogs in emergency situations.
"It will give them [firefighters] a little more knowledge on how K-9 stress out signs and symptoms that you may see. It will give them an idea of when a K-9 will need to be treated," said Cpt. Craig Radelman of Miami Fire Rescue.
Miami Invisible Fence owner said he will be donating two pet oxygen mask kits per month. Streeter hopes to have every fire truck equipped with a kit by the end of the year.
He is calling on the community to help sponsor local fire stations.
Each kit costs just under $100.
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