WEST BRIDGEWATER — Saving the lives of man's four-legged friends suffering from smoke inhalation or in need of rescue is becoming a Fire Department priority, officials said.
With 24 new pet oxygen masks, emergency responders will be able to treat cats, dogs, birds, gerbils and ferrets in distress at fire calls, said Firefighter-Paramedic Shawn Morales, who is implementing the program.
According to Morales, the masks represent one more thing the department can do for West Bridgewater residents and their pets.
“It's part of the job,” said Morales, adding he got the idea from the Leominster Fire Department.
The masks come in three sizes — small, medium and large — and pump from one to seven liters of oxygen from tanks connected to the department's ambulances, engines and ladder trucks.
The eight sets of masks West Bridgewater ordered were expected to be deployed Monday, Morales said.
Morales said an emergency responder would hold the mask over the pet's muzzle as it is rushed to an animal hospital.
“We're here to help out in any way we can. Our job is to serve the community,” he said.
Fire Chief Leonard Hunt said the department will also attend an emergency first aid course for animals in the late summer or early fall at the New England Animal Medical Center in West Bridgewater.
The chief said firefighters, EMTs and paramedics are well-trained in dealing with humans and could use some training in dealing with their pet companions.
“We'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it,” said Hunt, who owns a dog, three cats and gerbils.
“I can't imagine losing a pet in a fire, knowing there's something we could have done to save them,” he said.
Morales contacted the Greater Worcester NEADS (National Education Assistance Dog Service) Lions Club, which has distributed 50 sets of the pet oxygen masks in central Massachusetts since the fall, said Charter President Kathy Haskell.
“It's taken off. It really has,” she said. “This is a great project for us.”
“A lot of people have pets and it means a lot to them,” said L. Doug Sime, an international director for Lions Club International.
The masks, which cost $50 per set of three masks, are sold by Best Friends Pet Care.
“Dogs help us. We need to help them, too,” said Judy Marvelli, assistant manager at the Best Friends branch in Brockton.
In addition to the NEADS Lions Club, West Bridgewater businesses sponsoring the pet oxygen masks are the New England Animal Medical Center, Club Fit, Suburban Insulation and May's Tires & Accessories, Morales said.
Reference:enterprise
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