Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Local pets will benefit in an emergency, thanks to the generosity of some local students who donated pet masks to the Presque Isle Fire Department.
Photo courtesy of PIFD
Elizabeth Findlen and Chase Levasseur, students in Mrs. Allen’s class at Pine Street Elementary School in Presque Isle, presented pet masks to Grant Spinney, a firefighter with the Presque Isle Fire Department, during Fire Prevention Week activities last fall. The masks, much like human oxygen masks, are designed for use on pets and come in three sizes, from feline to K-9.
As part of Fire Prevention Week activities, students in Mrs. Allen’s class at Pine Street Elementary School presented three masks to the department for use on animals of various sizes. Students wanted to do something to make a difference in the community. With many loving or owning pets of their own, masks seemed an appropriate choice.
“Elizabeth Findlen and Chase Levasseur presented the masks to me when I visited their class in October. All I was told was the donation was anonymous. I don’t know how the money was raised or if the donation came from a single source, through the class. They wouldn’t tell me,” said Grant Spinney, a firefighter with the PIFD.
Spinney said a kit includes three masks of three sizes, ranging from feline to K-9 sizes.
“A kit costs about $55,” said Spinney. “These masks are meant for felines and K-9s. I’m sure, depending on the contour and size of the animal’s head, they would work on other animals if they had to.”
The masks are designed similar to human oxygen masks.
“They don’t resuscitate. They just give us the capabilities to deliver pure oxygen – no different than we would to a human with smoke inhalation,” Spinney explained.
While human life and building exposures take precedence, Spinney said firefighters do try their best to ensure everyone gets out of a burning building safely – including pets.
“These will be very beneficial. We aren’t veterinarians, but there will be times that we have to make that decision to try the mask or not. Having the masks, we’ll now have a better ability to make a difference,” said Spinney.
Since the masks are similar to those used for humans, Spinney said crews would not be required to go through any special training to use them.
“We found that they’re similar to human O2 masks and all of us are medically trained already,” he said.
The masks are basically a plastic cup with an attachment for an O2 tube. On the inside edge is a rubber seal that contours to the animal’s face to create a seal. This assures maximum O2 to the animal, explained Spinney.
“When anyone or anything has smoke inhalation, they not only get toxins into their lungs, they have an O2 deficiency in their blood. As we all know, blood pumped by the heart delivers oxygen throughout our body. Administering pure O2 helps quicken the purification, clears out the lungs and allows for higher concentration of O2 to re-enter the bloo stream and displace carbon monoxide,” said Spinney.
The quicker this is done, explained Spinney, the quicker the chances of avoiding health problems down the road such as brain damage or respiratory problems.
Spinney said over the years the PIFD has saved numerous pets from fires: cats, dogs, horses and others –but the department does not handle animal rescues on a regular basis.
“Cats stuck in trees is one common call we receive. A cat can climb – got up the tree, so it can get down. All other animal rescue calls in the Presque Isle area should be called into the police department. They have an animal control officer to take those emergencies,” he said.
Spinney had some safety tips good for pets and people.
“Be very careful with candles around pets; keep candles out of reach so pets can’t knock them over. Keep certain plants and food away from pets. Chocolate can be very poisonous to most animals. Treat pets like small children, keeping hazards away,” said Spinney.
Kitchen safety is a must, according to Spinney.
“Animals can easily knock over pots and pans that are on stoves. In the winter months, portable heaters are used often in homes and garages. Make sure for everyone’s safety that these units are safe. Be sure that animals can’t knock them over or get burned by them. Animal fur, like human hair, will catch fire and burn very fast, usually before the pet will know that they have caught fire, not only resulting in injury to the animal but posing a threat of the animal catching the rest of your house or you on fire,” said Spinney.
With masks like those donated, the PIFD is now better prepared in the event of an emergency involving animals.
“These masks will be a big help, if we are in a position where an animal needs oxygen. The department appreciates public support like this and we want to thank the students who provided us with such a worthwhile kit,” said Spinney. “The kit is something we didn’t have but will definitely put to use, I’m sure, at some point. It’s nice to know it’s there if we need it.”
