A home fire is a devastating event where losses can be compounded for survivors when a beloved pet dies.
Thanks to donations by Invisible Fence of Northern Michigan, some area fire trucks will be equipped with pet oxygen mask kits. Last week, the Traverse City Fire Department demonstrated the mask based on an engine at Fire Station One, using a willing model of "Rocky," a Cherryland Humane Society dog that has since been adopted.
Invisible Fence of Northern Michigan has donated more than 30 kits overall in the region since fall, including three to the Traverse City Fire Department.
Motivated to save pets' lives, dealership co-owners Dave Hoxie and Scott Scanlon have also placed the masks with Metro and Rural fire departments in Grand Traverse County as well as with departments throughout their northern Michigan and eastern Upper Peninsula territory.
"Up until three to four months ago they had nothing to help with," said Hoxie, noting that Invisible Fence dealers throughout the Midwest are participating in the program. "Our dealership is the first in the Midwest to get this rolling."
The issue of saving pets after fires is critical. Invisible Fence press information points to statistics from 2006 where an estimated 40,000 pets died in fires, mostly from smoke inhalation. Getting pet oxygen masks in the hands of firefighters would help reduce these numbers.
The masks can also be used in other situations. Some fire departments, like one in Roscommon, wanted kits to help with ice rescue so firefighters could give oxygen to dogs saved after falling into frigid water.
The $60 pet oxygen mask kit features a specially designed cone mask that fits over a pet's snout and connects to a portable oxygen tank. Side vents help facilitate breathing. Dogs' snouts fit snugly into this mask versus a human oxygen mask, providing a more consistent flow of 100 percent oxygen.
"Oxygen is a natural medicine, that's what the body needs at that time because basically you're drowning in smoke," said Keith Fritz, a fire inspector with the Traverse City Fire Department. "You become oxygen deprived and without oxygen you obviously can't survive."
"Pets are just as vulnerable as we are and will succumb to smoke inhalation really quickly," he added.
The pet mask can also be used on cats, ferrets and other domestic animals, even snakes. Hoxie noted that saves have already been logged in Interlochen and Leelanau County thanks to the masks.
"It's giving the local fire department another opportunity to save lives," said Scanlon.
While they are dedicated to education and prevention, firefighters know that when a fire breaks out a pet owner may be tempted to enter the blaze to save a pet. They strongly recommend against this action.
Because of fear or smoke, a pet may have become confused and unable to exit. Dogs are more likely to find their way out because they are used to exiting a residence regularly. Indoor cats tend to hide fearfully, not being familiar with using doors to get out.
It is better to let professional firefighters assess the situation: first making sure all humans are accounted for before considering rescuing a pet. The Traverse City Fire Department is evaluating whether to add pet rescue and safety to their firefighter training protocol.
"Obviously it's very sad anytime somebody loses a pet," said Frisk. "Our first concern is to make sure that all the humans get out and if the humans are out that will allow us to go in and attempt to find the pet, which we're more than willing to do if it can be done safely."
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