Plymouth Fire Department Receives Seven Sets of Pet Oxygen Masks

Firefighters here will soon be well prepared to rescue and resuscitate family pets in need on the scene of house fires and other emergencies. The Plymouth Fire Department just received a donation of seven sets of specially designed pet oxygen mask kits – one for each fire station -- from at-home pet services provider Canine Company.

In addition, firefighters will soon be receiving pet first aid and CPR training, courtesy of local Boy Scout Tyler O’Neil of Troop 51, as part of his Eagle Scout service project.

“When fire crews arrive at scene of a home fire we are always met by devastated family members. The family's entire life memories are being destroyed in front of their eyes,” said Plymouth Fire Chief G. Edward Bradley. “Safely rescuing and accounting for all family members is a firefighter's top priority. For the family, pets are their immediate family and they expect firefighters to afford the same rescue efforts. My dedicated personnel want to be able to rescue and resuscitate the pets, and this training and equipment will provide the firefighters the tools they need to accomplish this goal.”

Pets are at special risk during home fires because they are unable to leave the house without help. An estimated 40,000 die from smoke inhalation across the U.S. each year. The cone-shaped masks are designed for a pet’s snout, which human masks don’t fit, making it easier for first responders to deliver oxygen. Each set donated by Canine Company includes masks in three sizes to fit a range of pets -- from small mammals to giant breed dogs.

Canine Company’s pet masks campaign was created to ensure first responders have the tools needed to save the lives of family pets. In the past year alone, the company has donated over 200 mask kits to fire departments and first aid squads in 70 communities across New England, New Jersey and New York, including 15 departments in Massachusetts — and more than a dozen pets have been saved.

“Our company was founded by a family of pet lovers and our mission is to help other families keep their pets healthy, safe and happy,” said Renee Coughlin of Canine Company. “Our goal is to get these in to the hands of first responders wherever our clients live so they are ready to handle an emergency involving family pets,” she added.

Canine Company also offers free “Pets Inside” decals that homeowners can post on a door or window to let rescuers know there are pets in the home. The decals are available from the fire department or by completing the Request a Decal form on the company’s website.

Canine Company provides at-home pet care products and services including the Invisible Fence® brand pet containment systems, Manners obedience training and mobile grooming to pet parents across New England. For information, visit www.caninecompany.com.

Plymouth Fire Department (https://www.plymouth-ma.gov/fire-department) serves Plymouth citizens and visitors with more than 120 personnel deployed at seven stations across the town. Its mission is to protect lives and property by reducing the effects of fire, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, special rescue emergencies, and disasters.