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Norwood Park firefighters learn to use new rescue equipment for pets

Goldy, the firehouse dog for the Norwood Park Fire Protection District, was able to lend a paw this month and help paramedics and firefighters train with the department’s newest equipment — pet oxygen masks.

The department purchased three Wag’N O2 Fur Life pet oxygen mask kits in October that will allow first responders to treat pets that are suffering from smoke inhalation after a fire.

The kits can be used to administer oxygen to a variety of household pets, from mice to small horses, and each comes with three masks labeled for different size pets.

“We recognize that pets are an important part of people’s lives and families,” said Lt. Ron Schneider, whose idea it was to invest in the masks. “Whether it be a child’s pet or a pet for companionship for an elderly resident or even a service dog for someone with a medical issue or disability.”

Wag’N advertises that the masks can be used both on conscious pets that have suffered from smoke inhalation and pets that have lost consciousness from exposure to the toxic fumes.

Firefighters were trained this month on using the kits with the help of Goldy who, bribed with many dog treats, helped Schneider and paramedic/firefighter Jimmy Cotiguala demonstrate how to put the mask on an animal’s snout.

Unlike humans, who instinctively run out during fires, pets tend to look for a hiding place, resulting in many pets dying from smoke inhalation, according to Wag’N. For pet owners who may get injured themselves and lose their home, losing a pet is even more devastating.

Last November, a house fire out in Norridge resulted in a family losing its dog, said Schneider. A year before that, firefighters rescued a dog from a fire on the 4100 block of North Ozark Avenue.

Schneider learned about the masks after seeing another department use them, and said Norwood Park Chief Dave Blondell and the rest of the department supported the $270 purchase.

“We want to be able to help those people and go the extra mile for our residents if they ever have one of those tragic days in their lives,” Schneider said.

Cmdr. Artz Koszczuk and paramedic Phil Goldman said the oxygen masks are similar to human oxygen masks, so they are comfortable and well-trained in how to use the equipment during an emergency. Firefighters, paramedics and medics on ambulances will all be trained.

One kit will be stored on a fire engine, one in a fire truck and one in a commander SUV. The kits will be stored in the fire vehicles, rather than ambulances, to make sure that equipment for humans and animals are kept separate, said Schneider.

“It’s more likely this equipment will remain on the scene to use during a fire since ambulances may be on other medical calls or taking patients to the hospital,” Schneider said.

He said the department is also working on developing a policy to transport family pets to the nearest vet in the event of an emergency.

“Of course, any human medical emergency or rescue will take precedent over a pet or animal emergency,” Schneider said. “But these are great tools to help pets when personnel are available, especially after a fire is controlled and we realize a pet may be distressed after being in a fire.”