Firefighters, paramedics and EMTs with the Jackson Township Fire Department are now some of the best-equipped in the nation to save a pet’s life. That’s because Invisible Fence of Central Indiana has donated four pet oxygen mask kits to the department.
Stacy Goins demonstrates resuscitation techniques on a dog. (Photo provided)
This donation is just a small part of Invisible Fence Brand’s Project Breathe program, which was established with the goal of equipping every fire station in the United States and Canada with pet oxygen masks. These masks allow firefighters and EMS staff to give oxygen to pets who are suffering from smoke inhalation when they are rescued from fires, and they often save pets’ lives.
“When a family suffers the tragedy of a fire, lives are turned upside down,” said Ed Hoyt, Director of Invisible Fence Brand. “Pets are valued family members, so we want families to know that their pet can be cared for if tragedy strikes. We realize that humans are the first priority, but in many cases, pets can be saved if firefighters have the right equipment. Project Breathe program is simply a way of giving firefighters the tools necessary to save pets’ lives.”
Although the number of pets that die in fires is not an official statistic kept by the U.S. Fire Administration, industry websites and sources have cited an estimated 40,000 to 150,000 pets die in fires each year, most succumbing to smoke inhalation. In many states, emergency responders are unequipped to deal with the crisis. The loss is terrible for the family and heart-wrenching for firefighters.
Thanks to Firefighter/Paramedic Mike Kirchberg, Jackson Township Fire Department is now joining the ranks of Hamilton County fire departments who have received donated pet oxygen masks from the Project Breathe program.
(From left) Firefighter/Paramedic Jennifer Moon, Firefighter/EMT Nathan Geist, Stacy Goins from Invisible Fence, Firefighter/Paramedic Mike Kirchberg and Firefighter/EMT Robert Pontius. (Photo provided)