Thursday, January 22, 2009

The Wichita Fire Department accepted a donation of pet oxygen masks from the Invisible Fence Company, who has agreed to donate 42 masks throughout 2009.

The 12 masks, costing approximately $28 each, will be immediately available. The remaining masks will be delivered at a later date.

"With the addition of this life saving tool, we have greater odds of resuscitating a pet that would normally succumb to smoke inhalation," Wichita Fire Chief Ronald D. Blackwell said. "Thanks to the generosity of the Invisible Fence Company, firefighters will be able to return beloved pets to their families."

Over the past few months, fire crews have battled a number of structure fires where pets were victims of smoke inhalation. It's often a challenge to resuscitate pets because the oxygen masks currently carried by fire crews are designed for humans. As a result, the Invisible Fence Company decided to donate oxygen masks that are designed to fit pets.

In order for the masks to be available at all fire scenes; masks will be placed with Battalion Chiefs and Safety Officers.