Masks can help save pets at fire scenes
Donation made to Welland Fire and Emergency Services
Since its inception, a program put in place by Invisible Fence called Project Breathe has saved an estimated 10,000 pets from fires and smoke inhalation through the use of specifically-designed masks.
Friday afternoon, Welland Fire and Emergency Services received five sets of the pet-saving face masks for its trucks.
“We’ve had the masks for more than 10 years since Invisible Fence donated the first sets to us,” said Deputy Chief Adam Eckhart.
Over time, Eckhart said, those masks started to wear out and break. “We used them on numerous occasions … but it was time for replacement,” he said, adding he reached out to Invisible Fence Niagara dealership owner Ray Boutin to see if the fire service could get new masks.
“Ray was gracious enough to donate five sets.”
Each set contains three different masks for different size animals, said Boutin.
“We donated these for the trucks in Welland so firefighters have them when they have to fight fires and deal with animals. Invisible Fence donates to fire departments right across North America … there have been 6,800 sets donated so far this year,” he said. “We work with first responders to make sure they have the equipment they need.”
Boutin said the masks work on cats and dogs and can even be used on pot belly pigs.
Eckhart said the masks, which are very effective, will be placed with rescue bags the firefighters use when on the scene of a fire so the fire service “can continue to provide a service to the pets within the community.”
“I want to remind people that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms alert family members and early detection means protection for people and pets.”
He said if there is a fire in a home, residents should make their way outside and not go back in for a pet.
“Advise us there is a pet(s) inside and we will do everything in our power to remove them from harm’s way.”