First responders in 12 area fire departments are receiving a total of 19 animal rescue oxygen mask kits through a donation from Invisible Fence^® Brand, according to Marguerite Amonett, administrative assistant at the Stow Fire Department.

Departments will be equipped with masks after Sunday’s 2 p.m. training session and demonstrations at the fire department.  Dr. Dana Jacobson from Stow Kent Animal Hospital will be there to conduct pet safety training and local fire department personnel will demonstrate how the masks are used on their canine friends. Refreshments will be provided by Mayor Sara Drew.

Departments getting the masks include Ravenna, Streetsboro, Bath Township, Twinsburg, Munroe Falls, Stow, Atwater, Edinburg, Valley, Mantua-Shalersville, Kent and Tallmadge.                       

BACKGROUND:

Although the number of pets that die in fires is not an official statistic kept by the U.S. Fire Administration, industry web sites and sources have cited an estimated 40,000 to 150,000 pets each year that die in fires; most succumbing to smoke inhalation. In most states, emergency responders are unequipped to deal with the crisis. The donation of these specially designed and potentially lifesaving animal oxygen mask sets enable rescue squads to efficiently administer oxygen to a stricken animal.

This donation is part of a national effort called "Project Breathe" to equip fire stations across the nation and Canada.