WMFD set to save four-legged lives

WMFD set to save four-legged lives

New pet- sized oxygen masks can be used on dogs, cats

news@theeveningtimes.com

The West Memphis Fire Department will soon be toting new devices to help save your pet’s life in the event of an emergency. The free new made to muzzle size oxygen masks were donated by sponsors. Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Jones said the fur babies are important too. “I’m a pet owner myself,” said Jones, “It’s a member of my family.”

Each year, it’s estimated more than 40,000 family pets are killed in house fires due to asphyxiation. Wanting to prevent the loss of your beloved dogs and cats, West Memphis fire crews requested pet oxygen masks from Project Breathe.

The free masks work exactly like an oxygen mask for humans fitting snugly over the nose and mouth to send oxygen into the lungs, but are pet sized. Each kit comes with a small, medium and large mask to help any given dog or cat, no matter the size.

Ask any seasoned fire fighter if they haven’t rescued a pet and try to use a human oxygen mask to resuscitate Spot or Mittens.

The fire service is full of such stories. Now specially designed masks fit the need.

So far, Project Breathe estimates their devices have saved more than 10,000 pets in their time of need.

Project Breathe is sponsored by Invisible Fence Inc. The Department was outfitted with these devices by Invisible Fence of Arkansas located in Little Rock.

West Memphis Fire Department will begin utilizing these devices by the first week in March. Chief Jones said each truck will have the masks on board.

What’s the priority for pets, people and property at a house fire? The chief indicated they rescue anyone and every living thing as soon as found.

“When we are at a house fire we do two searches,” said Jones. “The primary search is quick but thorough. Its quick because we are trying to get the fire put out too. Once the fire is under control we do a secondary search we look in every crack and crevasse.

During these searches we are looking for people and pets.”

The fire department is looking to purchase pet stickers to go along with ones those for children.

“Most of them are cartoonish with dogs and cats on them and they go on the front door of the house,” said Jones. “The ones for kids are to be placed low on the bedroom doors.

That’s where we are looking, below the smoke.”

By John Rech