Newmarket
October 04, 2008 09:55 PM
Amanda Persico
Firefighters save lives.
Now, with pet resuscitation kits, firefighters can save the lives of our furry friends.
After a summer trial proved successful, all five Central York Fire Services trucks in Newmarket and Aurora are equipped with pet resuscitation kits.
Newmarket and Aurora were the first in York Region to have specialized pet masks as part of a nationwide initiative.
Rescuing a beloved pet provides comfort to a family going through a traumatic experience, services deputy chief Paul Leslie said.
The specialized pet masks provide a more efficient stream of oxygen to animals than masks designed for humans, said Councillor Chris Emanuel, chairperson of the services joint council committee.
“Pets, like humans, feel the effects of inhaling smoke,” Mr. Emanuel said. “This is an added safety service for residents.”
The cone-shaped masks, donated by Invisible Fence Brand of South Central Ontario, can be used on all types of family pets, including dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds.
“This initiative makes sense,” Mr. Emanuel said. “Pets are part of the family.”