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Fire department given oxygen masks for pets

Posted August 29, 2007 11:00 pm

John Reynolds

Springfield firefighters have some new rescue tools in their trucks that could be good news to four-legged fire victims.

On Wednesday, the Illinois Capitol Kennel Club announced the donation of oxygen masks specially designed to fit over the muzzle of a dog or a cat. The hope is that firefighters will be able to use the masks to revive a pet that has been rescued from a house fire.

"Quite often, one of the first things we hear when we pull up to a fire is that there is a pet inside," said Springfield Fire Chief John Kulek. "I can remember a half-dozen calls over the years when we actually pulled out our oxygen and air masks and tried to put oxygen on a pet."

Until now, the problem has been that the only masks available to firefighters have been designed for people, and it has been impossible to get a tight seal over a dog's muzzle.

The new masks come in three sizes and are designed to fit pets.

"These masks are going to give the best delivery of oxygen and provide them the best chance for survival. It's something we haven't had before," Kulek said.

Steve Hayden, president of the Illinois Capitol Kennel Club, said his group decided to donate the equipment after seeing a news report of firefighters trying to revive dogs using masks designed for people.

The cost was $1,100 to $1,200. The club bought about 15 sets of three animal masks, which means there will be enough for every fire engine and fire truck in Springfield.

Kulek said the department will use the masks only on animals it has rescued from fires. The fire department will not respond to calls about injured or ill animals.

"We are not in the business of making calls to people's homes for pet medical calls. (These new masks) are for pets rescued from structure fires," Kulek said.

John Reynolds can be reached at 788-1524 or john.reynolds@sj-r.com.

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