Fluffy may be able to hang onto one of her nine lives. Champ might just go on living a dog's life. Best of all, some firefighters won't have to try to figure out how the heck you perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on man's best friends.
Resuscitation masks are a staple of the lifesaving gear first responders bring to a fire. They work great on humans but weren't meant for animals. In July 2004, Best Friends Pet Care, a nationwide chain of pet grooming and boarding centers, donated 15 masks designed for pets to the North Plainfield, N.J., Fire Department.
The idea took off, and the company's centers across the country are now trying to make every fire department in America pet-friendly.
"That would be the goal," said Mirya Mason, manager of the Boxford Best Friends store.
The company matches every $50 donated in the name of a local fire station and provides them with two sets of masks in three sizes, small, medium and large. Hamilton, Wenham, Ipswich, Topsfield, Essex, Georgetown and Rowley will all soon be equipped with the masks, thanks to the Ipswich Humane Society.
Boxford received eight of the masks two years ago. Salem, Swampscott and Marblehead firefighters also have masks available.
Wenham fire Chief Bob Blanchard recalls only one time, about 15 years ago, when dogs died of smoke inhalation in a fire. He isn't sure the masks would have made a difference - "A lot depends on timing, just like with humans" - but nonetheless welcomes the new equipment.
"I figured it was worth having them whether we ever use them or not," Blanchard said.
Ipswich fire Chief Art Howe said the masks are emblematic of a bit of a change.
"Animals are starting to get some recognition in emergency services," Howe said. "It's probably long overdue."
Humans will continue to be the primary focus in a fire, but their pets will also be considered.
"If we can take care of the little friend along with the big friends," Howe said, "that's a good thing."
Staff writer Steve Landwehr can be reached at slandwehr@ecnnews.com.
How to help
To find out about making donations to supply a fire department with pet masks, go to www.bestfriendspetcare.com. Click on the Rescue Mask Fund Drive link.
Resuscitation masks are a staple of the lifesaving gear first responders bring to a fire. They work great on humans but weren't meant for animals. In July 2004, Best Friends Pet Care, a nationwide chain of pet grooming and boarding centers, donated 15 masks designed for pets to the North Plainfield, N.J., Fire Department.
The idea took off, and the company's centers across the country are now trying to make every fire department in America pet-friendly.
"That would be the goal," said Mirya Mason, manager of the Boxford Best Friends store.
The company matches every $50 donated in the name of a local fire station and provides them with two sets of masks in three sizes, small, medium and large. Hamilton, Wenham, Ipswich, Topsfield, Essex, Georgetown and Rowley will all soon be equipped with the masks, thanks to the Ipswich Humane Society.
Boxford received eight of the masks two years ago. Salem, Swampscott and Marblehead firefighters also have masks available.
Wenham fire Chief Bob Blanchard recalls only one time, about 15 years ago, when dogs died of smoke inhalation in a fire. He isn't sure the masks would have made a difference - "A lot depends on timing, just like with humans" - but nonetheless welcomes the new equipment.
"I figured it was worth having them whether we ever use them or not," Blanchard said.
Ipswich fire Chief Art Howe said the masks are emblematic of a bit of a change.
"Animals are starting to get some recognition in emergency services," Howe said. "It's probably long overdue."
Humans will continue to be the primary focus in a fire, but their pets will also be considered.
"If we can take care of the little friend along with the big friends," Howe said, "that's a good thing."
Staff writer Steve Landwehr can be reached at slandwehr@ecnnews.com.
How to help
To find out about making donations to supply a fire department with pet masks, go to www.bestfriendspetcare.com. Click on the Rescue Mask Fund Drive link.
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