CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) The Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department has a new tool to help when it comes to fire and smoke safety. The fire service now has oxygen masks for pets.
Six of the oxygen mask kits for pets, one for each of the county’s fire stations, were donated by the Project Breathe Program with the Invisible Fence Brand.
“As a company we keep pets contained in a yard and we keep them safe that way but this is a way of keeping pets safe in a time of need by donating these masks to first responders,” Jef Fox, Sales and Marketing Manager for Invisible Fence of Middle Tennessee, said.
Fox added that there are three different sizes of the masks for the ranges of different sizes of pets. They can work on dogs, cats, and basically any animal with a snout. So far the masks have saved more than 10,000 pets in the U.S. from smoke inhalation deaths.
Interim Fire Chief for Montgomery County, Ed Baggett talked about the masks.
“When we go out to structure fires sometimes we have pets who need oxygen and this will help us enhance the ability to give them quicker oxygen and do a better job of it. This is a great donation and we’re excited about it,” Baggett said.
EMA/Fire Coordinator Tammy Arms, said their office was informed about being able to get the pet oxygen masks donated after a call from a local citizen, Traci Vallone.
Montgomery County Animal Control and Adoption brought one of their friends, Willow, to check out the masks. Willow is a 1-year-old female Pit Bull mix who is microchipped and was surrendered by her owner.
She was very affectionate and friendly with everyone while the photos you see were being taken and Animal Control says she is very good with other dogs. To find out more about making Willow or another pet from Animal Control part of your family, call Animal Control at 931-648-5750.
