When a fire strikes, human beings are not the only ones whose lives can be affected. Thousands of household pets lose their lives in home fires each year. The most common cause of death for these animals is smoke inhalation. When the animals are rescued by firefighters, many of them have been saved by high-flow oxygen provided through specially designed oxygen masks. Berwyn Fire Company recently received a special kit containing these masks through a generous donation by Liberty English Cocker Spaniel Fanciers, a national organization that started locally. The group recently purchased several of these kits to donate to local fire companies. This is the second kit that Berwyn Fire Company has received. A couple years ago, The Delaware Valley Yorkshire Terrier Club, Inc. donated a kit that we have fortunately not had the need to use.

The kits, made by Wag N' O2 Fur Life, contains three different sized oxygen masks. The masks can be used on animals large and small, from reptiles and ferrets to large dogs and alpacas. The masks are reusable and easy to use with existing equipment found on our ambulances and fire trucks. With the addition of a second kit, two of Berwyn Fire Company's first line apparatus are now equipped with this lifesaving tool.

While we hope to never have to use them, we are grateful and thankful to have this tool available. Berwyn Fire Company would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Liberty English Cocker Spaniel Fanciers for this generous donation.