(PRESS RELEASE) DETROIT, MI – The Detroit Fire Department (DFD) will receive a large donation of 278 pet oxygen mask kits (containing more than 800 pet oxygen masks in total) on Thursday, March 8. These donated kits will make the Detroit Fire Department one of the only metro departments in the county to be fully equipped with the devices needed to save pets in fires.
The donations are in response to a house fire where firefighters saved 15 of 17 dogs trapped. Following the rescue effort, the first responders commented that DFD had a limited number of the specialty equipment needed to help save animals trapped in a fire and would welcome more. Each year, it is estimated that more than 40,000 pets die in fires, most succumbing to smoke inhalation. The reality in most cases is that first responders lack the equipment to resuscitate and save these animals’ lives. Thanks to these donations being made through the Detroit Public Safety Foundation (DPSF) by local groups and companies like Invisible Fence Brand, there will be enough kits available for every piece of DFD fire apparatus as well as the training center.
Through the Invisible Fence Project Breathe Program, greater Detroit has received 186 masks, with more than 21,000 masks donated to fire departments across the United States and Canada. The goal of Project Breathe is to equip all fire departments across America with these important tools and reduce the number of preventable pet deaths. Invisible Fence is asking others across the nation to contact their local fire department to find out if they have these pet-saving kits and, if not, ask them to put in a request today.
On Thursday, March 8, representatives from DFD, Invisible Fence Brand Authorized Dealers and the DPSF, along with other donors, will take part in the donation and highlight this equipment. A representative from Detroit Dog Rescue will be available with rescued dogs and a veterinarian from Advanced Animal Emergency Hospital in Clinton Township will demonstrate how to use.
Donation & Photo Opportunity
What: Donation of more than 800 pet oxygen masks to Detroit Fire Dept.
Who:
- DFD – Deputy Chief Eugene Biondo
- DPSF – Patti Kukula, Executive Director
- Donors:
- Invisible Fence Brand’s Project Breathe Program – Dennis Cohen (62 kits)
- Invisible Fence Brand of Ann Arbor
- Invisible Fencing Tri-County
- Invisible Fence Brand of Shelby
- GFL Environmental – Joe Munem (75 kits)
- K9 Defenders Fund – Tracy Spader (68 kits)
- Advanced Animal Emergency Hospital of Clinton Twp. – Jamie Jendrowski and Veterinarian (50 kits)
- Dog Aid Community Awareness – Jen Clark (15 kits)
- Pet Awareness – Jennifer Clarkston (8 kits)
- Detroit Dog Rescue – Kristina Rinaldi – demonstrate how kits are used and help save animal
When: Thursday, March 8, 2018; 10:00 a.m. EST
Where:
Engine 27
4762 W Fort St
Detroit, MI 48209