A Heartwarming Tail: OCFA Firefighters Continue Caring For 2 Kittens They Rescued From Car Engine Last Month

(ORANGE COUNTY) - In the last seven-weeks, the American public has seen some of the most frightening images of devastation, flooding, and chaos caused by Category 4 Hurricane’s Harvey (Texas) and Irma (Florida) that have consumed the airwaves, held above the fold front page spots in newspapers and gone viral on social media. Rescue boats, muddy waters, flash floods, evacuation orders and storm surges.

However, the public is also simultaneously seeing images resulting from these natural disasters that serve to be the flip side of the horror. These images – and actions undertaken by the individuals in them, are what get people through such experiences.

Images of firefighters and first responders risking their own lives, and even leaving behind their own families in neighboring states, to help answer the call of the weakest these storms didn’t stop for: the elderly and disabled, the infants and small children. And the animals. Some wild. Some domestic. Both needing help.

Seven-weeks ago – before the Hurricanes, and before FEMA Urban Search & Rescue -Firefighters became the obvious choice for Time Magazine’s yet-to-be announced winner for its “2017 Person of the Year,” two kittens were born in Orange County, Ca (roughly).

Outwardly resembling the purebred domestic American Shorthair, this brother/sister pair made headlines August 16th after a team of eight highly trained Orange County Fire Authority firefighter paramedics rescued them around 10:30 a.m. that day out from underneath an Audi sedan’s sealed engine compartment at the Brookhurst Car Wash.

Car wash employees heard the cries from these kittens from under the Audi’s hood after it completed its’ full run through the car wash – not to mention the sedan having been driven to the car wash with the kittens already onboard. Apparently, stray female cats can give birth outdoors and have cold kittens that mistakenly become wedged into small spaces in an engine compartment while they seek shelter from the cold night’s air.

Many times, a vehicle’s owner does not notice there is a cat in their engine until it’s too late. Cat rescues and animal organizations therefore urge drivers to bang on an engine hood or honk the horn to give a stray cat hiding the chance to escape. Or not to park a car outside altogether. Stories abound of kittens/cats being driven for miles in a car engine compartment.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16TH 2017, 10:30 AM:
BROOKHURST CAR WASH, WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA – “THE FIREFIGHTERS MEET THE STOWAWAYS”

On the morning of August 16th, OCFA firefighters training near the Brookhurst Car Wash in Westminster were approached by a car wash employee that described hearing the “cries” of an animal from underneath the hood of a vehicle at the car wash.

OCFA firefighters receive approximately 400 calls a day from Orange County residents needing help in a variety of circumstances ranging from medical emergencies to structure/vegetation fires.

These firefighters are highly trained and prepared for a number of situations the public needs help with usually with the clock ticking down and emotions running high. Teamwork and trust in one another is key to their approach in response to each call – however, saving lives – all lives, is why they enter the profession.

In general, an “engine company” consisting of a crew of four firefighters responds first to a call. The fire engine is the vehicle apparatus that transports firefighters to a scene, provides water and other firefighting equipment. The engineer is the firefighter that drives, understands and operates the equipment on the “rig.” Seated in the front and to the engineer’s right is the fire captain/paramedic. The responsibilities of the captain vary widely, but he ensures the crew and apparatus are ready to respond to calls and sets the overall attitude of the crew with the public, and provides leadership and guidance in both extreme life-threatening situations and periods of calm back at the fire station. The firefighter/paramedics that round out a crew are ready for medical emergencies in the field as well as being able to handle fire suppression, rescue and other related duties.

A “truck company” is a crew of four firefighters performing specialized functions on an incident and drive a larger, more specialized fire truck apparatus that contains all the tools firefighters need – including the “jaws of life” and other extrication equipment. The “fire truck” is noticeably larger than an engine and carries the specialized tools firefighters need for extrication, forcible entry, rescue, ventilation and overhaul. The truck also carries the ladders, including a 100-foot aerial ladder; also called a “ladder company.”

On August 16th, the initial response was by OCFA firefighters on an engine. This crew was able to quickly get underneath the Audi and free one of the two kittens – but they determined the truck company was needed with the specialized extraction equipment.

Once the truck company responded, the second kitten was freed.

A crowd of approximately 12-18 people had gathered and stayed until the end of the 40-minute rescue. Everyone was very happy the firefighters were able to successfully rescue the kittens.

“No call is too small,” wrote OCFA firefighters after both kittens were saved. A subsequent visit to the veterinarian revealed they were a brother and sister, approximately three weeks old, un-weaned and weighed approximately 10-ounces each.

The car wash and the owner of the Audi declined to take the two kittens on following their rescue by OCFA firefighters – so the firefighters did what firefighters do: they followed the situation through by bringing these innocent kittens with them back to the fire station to make sure their patients were properly cared for and that their immediate needs and follow-up care were not left to chance.

DAY 1: RESCUE FROM SEALED ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND 24-HOUR CARE BY FIREFIGHTERS BACK AT THE FIRE STATION

Back at the OCFA fire station immediately following the rescue of the kittens, the crews resumed normal shift activities. Responding to calls. Preparing meals. And caring for two three-week old, unweaned kittens who had quite the morning by any infant’s standards.

The OCFA Westminster Fire Captain that was on the call and helped rescue the kittens -- and made the call the bring the kittens back to the station, made another call to a friend that worked in veterinary medicine once back at the Westminster fire station with the kittens. He learned that these kittens were pretty much going to fit in just fine at the fire station for the next 24-hours given firefighters are up around the clock for 24-hours responding to calls. These kittens were essentially like a newborn and had needs around the clock as well.

So – just like any good, new first-time parents, the firefighters researched the type of specialized formula and bottle-type the kittens needed and purchased them accordingly.

DAY 1: THE EMOTIONAL JOURNEY OF THE FIRST 24-HOURS, A JOB WELL DONE

“Anytime a firefighter can save a life, no matter if it is a human or an animal, it brings all of us a tremendous amount of joy,” said OCFA PIO Captain Steve Concialdi on August 19th when the story originally ran. “That’s why we join the fire service – to help others in need. Animals included.”

Statement from OCFA Firefighters following rescue:

“Once we knew that the kittens were definitely stuck, we were all excited to help out. We tried for a bit to get the second one out from the top of the engine compartment but couldn’t even see it. We could hear it crying and knew it was scared. Once the truck company lifted the vehicle, we were able to access the second kitten pretty quickly. It was fun knowing that we helped a little life out. It was satisfying to finally grab him and pull him out of the engine. It’s always fun for everybody when calls have happy endings like this. This is why we do this job, so it felt good knowing that we helped. We had to learn how to feed them and keep them warm throughout the night at the station. All the firefighters took turns throughout the night and helped out. It’s always an adventure at work and we never know what we’re going to be asked to do next.”

“We are in the business to rescue,” said PIO Concialdi. “We don’t want anyone to die. When we are called on for help, that’s exactly what we do. Had the crews not responded – the kitten stuck under the engine compartment could have eventually died if the car kept driving.”

DAY 2: IT TAKES A VILLAGE – AND TAYLOR!

In the days following the OCFA rescue of these two kittens, the OCFA Westminster Fire Captain that made the decision to bring them back to the station after no one stepped forward to take them at the car wash, made another decision – this time alongside his girlfriend Taylor Rychlec, that he and Rychlec would care for the kittens in their home in South Orange County until the kittens were old enough and strong enough to be adopted into a new “forever home.”

Taylor is one of those individuals you are grateful you have on your team when faced with new life circumstances one day that are very different than the day before – like whether or not to bring home two, un-weaned kittens you and your crew just rescued from a sealed engine compartment while at work the day before – and that the very next step made in the interest of these kittens could have life-long consequences for them both.

The gift Taylor provided was to step up, roll-up her sleeves and agree to help do what she could in the lives of these two kittens that literally would be depending on her and her OCFA Westminster Fire Captain boyfriend for all of their basic needs. And to do that in a loving home together as siblings and not in a shelter or rescue, would surely help each kitten as it hit critical milestones in the first weeks that factor into a cat’s personality and sociability for the rest of its life.

DAY 3: DO WE NAME THEM? IF WE DO, DOES THAT MEAN WE’VE JUST MADE AN UNSPOKEN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSE THAT WE ARE KEEPING THEM – EVEN IF WE DON’T ADMIT IT TO OURSELVES

The two kittens rescued from the Brookhurst Car Wash by OCFA firefighters were now successfully 24-hours post sealed engine compartment extraction and doing well. They have a story for their own grandkids one day about how eight firefighters nurtured them and bottle-fed them around the clock for 24-hours after these same men showed up to rescue them.

The OCFA Westminster Fire Captain (with a really big heart) and his girlfriend Taylor (also, really big heart) were taking the kittens home to South OC temporarily to care for them until a vet approves them ready for adoption into a forever home. And already it had been decided that an OCFA firefighter would adopt the kittens – but just which one remained to be seen. The OCFA-extended family learned of the situation on August 16th and many stepped forward to adopt the kittens.

Each unfolding hour post-engine extraction another check mark in a box for the two kittens under the category “Things Are Looking Up For You.” And certainly “Things Are Much Better For You Then They Were Pre-Engine Extraction.” Alone. Cold. Stuck in a dirty car engine without their Mama. These two kittens got a break – finally.

They just needed names….

DAY 4: WASH, RINSE, REPEAT

Meet “Brookhurst” (little girl) and “Hazard” (little boy) – no longer known simply as the two orphaned kittens rescued by the “jaws of life.”

“The firefighters continue to help with the care of Brookhurst and Hazard – but Taylor Rychlec has been doing the “Lion’s Share” of care. She has been acting like a Mom to these two kittens,” PIO Concialdi said recently of the kittens care. “Rychlec does bring them to the fire station and the firefighters continue to help with the feedings – they still have to be fed about every three hours.”

Brookhurst and Hazard have been receiving great care provided by veterinarian, Dr. Cherry, DVM, and the wonderful staff at the Animal Medical Center & Spay Neuter Clinic, 27230 La Paz, Ste. A, Mission Viejo, 949-768-3300.

TODAY: AN UPDATE ON BROOKHURST AND HAZARD, OCFA FIREFIGHTER RESCUED KITTENS

Here is a an update on Brookhurst and Hazard as provided by their foster Mama, Taylor, and foster Dada OCFA Westminster Fire Captain; and their extended OCFA foster family – and a lot of FF Uncles! [FF = Firefighters]

From Taylor Rychlec, September 2017:

Yes, the kittens have been at the same home they went to since being rescued. They are staying in Trabuco Canyon (they go back to the fire station occasionally where the FFs get to help with their care at times).

Hazard (boy, gray kitten) is adventurous and needy at the same time. He is fascinated by everything around him and if he’s not carefully watched, he will wander off and sometimes get himself stuck on a stair while he’s learning to ascend and descend stairs. At the same time, he is very needy and is the more vocal of the two kittens. Hazard is constantly meowing and always hungry. While both kittens are being bottle-fed every 3 hours, Hazard usually begins meowing between feedings letting Taylor know he wants a snack.

Brookhurst (girl, tan kitten) is a sassy cuddler. She loves cuddling with the captain that helped rescue her. She regularly falls asleep on his chest or in his arms. Her sassiness is especially evident during feeding when she grabs the bottle with both paws and is quick to let Taylor know she is done feeding by trying to wiggle out of her arms. Compared to her brother, Brookhurst is calmer. She seems more comfortable in someone’s arms rather than exploring.

Both kittens are very social. They don’t show any fear of people. They enjoy belly rubs. They sleep together, usually on top of one another.

Initially, the fire captain and I both thought that we were only going to foster the kittens until they reach adoption age (approximately 8 weeks old). As we grew closer to the kittens, we made the decision that regardless of who adopted them, they had to go together. We felt as though they have been through so much, and their dependence on one another is very apparent. As each day passes, we are leaning more and more towards adopting them ourselves. However, we have close friends who have also showed interest in adoption if we change our minds. We have a few more weeks to make a decision.

This experience has been a complete surprise. Personally, I have never had cats or kittens, I grew up with dogs. I had no idea what fostering kittens entailed. I am a surrogate mother to Brookhurst and Hazard. Every 2 to 3 hours, I bottle feed them with a milk replacement formula. Following the feeding, I stimulate them with a warm moistened cotton pad (simulating their mother’s tongue) hoping they will urinate, or well you know. With feeding and stimulation complete, I try to cuddle each of them and introduce them to new toys and activities. The resources on the internet, especially, kittenlady.org, have been great for information. I have seen them go from young kittens, less than two weeks old, simply sleeping and eating, to today, where they are walking, and learning to run, jump and pounce. It’s incredible to see their natural instincts take over. The experience has been exhausting, especially when the captain is on-duty, and the responsibilities are all mine, but I have enjoyed the challenge. I’m glad his crew went beyond their regular duties and took in the kittens. They’re a great group of guys, and the fostering of Brookhurst and Hazard is only one of many examples of that.

“This shows the commitment our OCFA firefighters make when they do the right things for the right reasons,” said PIO Concialdi. “This captain, his crew and Taylor have gone above and beyond the call of duty as they continue to care for these small and very needy kittens.”

“It also shows a glimpse of the emotional side of the fire service and how our firefighters get touched and moved by “saving a life.””

“Like I said before, anytime a firefighter can save a life, no matter if it is a human or an animal, it brings all of us a tremendous amount of joy,” PIO Concialdi said. “That is why we join the fire service – to help others in need.”

“Animals included.”

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RESOURCES

Animal Medical Center & Spay Neuter Clinic
27230 La Paz, Ste. A, Mission Viejo, 92692
Phone (949) 768-3300
http://mvanimalmedicalcenter.com/

OC Animal Care
561 The City Drive South
Orange, CA. 92868
714-935-6848 OR 949-249-5160
http://www.ocpetinfo.com/

http://www.ocfa.org/

PHOTOS COURTESY OCFA