Rocky Hill First Responders Now Equipped with Special Oxygen Mask

Rocky Hill NJ-- Pet parents here can breathe a little easier now that local first responders have a special tool to help save family pets in home fires and other emergencies. The Rocky Hill First Aid & Rescue Squad recently received a donation of two sets of life-saving pet oxygen masks from at-home pet services provider Canine Company.

According to Chief James Banks, one kit is being deployed on the squad’s First Responder vehicle, which is tasked with getting to the scene quickly in urgent situations. The second set will be put in the squad’s BLS2 ambulance, which is used for response to calls involving fires.

Chief Banks thanked Canine Company for the generous donation, noting their value in helping pets in distress.

Pets are at special risk during a home fire because they are unable to leave the house without help. An estimated 40,000 pets 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. Each set includes masks in three sizes to fit pets from small mammals to giant breed dogs.

“Our company mission is to help families keep their pets healthy, safe and happy. We do that with our products and services, and with our charitable programs,” said Renee Coughlin of Canine Company. “We are grateful that these first responders care about the well being of family pets.”

To ensure rescuers know there are pets in a home, Canine Company provided free “Pets Inside” decals to the fire department for distribution to local pet parents. The stickers are available from the ambulance corps, or can be requested by mail through the Request a Decal form on the company’s website.

Over the past decade, Canine Company has donated masks to first responders in more than 500 communities across New England, New York and New Jersey. At least 14 pets have been saved so far this year by first responders using the donated masks. For more information, visit www.caninecompany.com.

Canine Company helps families across New York, New England and New Jersey keep their pets healthy, safe and happy at home with services like Invisible Fence pet containment systems and Manners dog obedience training.

The Rocky Hill First Aid & Rescue was founded in 1949 and has served the community for more than 65 years. It is all an-volunteer squad, with no paid staff and does not charge for its services. For information, or to volunteer, visit www.53rescue.org.