Norco, CA – Pets can now be saved during fire emergencies with a life saving oxygen mask. These masks are specifically designed for pets. While you might think that an oxygen mask built for human would work, it won’t. “While it has been successful only in isolated examples, masks normally used for providing oxygen to humans are not effective for treating animals,” according to Norco fire engineer-paramedic Grant Juncker.
Norco Battalion Chief Frank deBoer said that, “there are about six pets per year that require assistance due to fires in his district. In just the last few months, we have lost two dogs due to smoke asphyxiation from structure fires,” he said.
The Norco Fire Department was the recipient of several donated mask sets to be used to save pets from asphyxiation when trapped in a fire emergency due to a burning building or home. The masks were donated to the fire station by therapy dog owner Debra Jo Chiapuzio as part of her Team 02 fundraising efforts.
The American Kennel Club estimates that more than 500,000 pets are killed each year by home fires. Some of those could have been saved if the rescue teams had pet oxygen masks available to them. So far, Chiapuzio and Team 02 have donated 33 oxygen mask sets and are awaiting 25 additional sets. Canidae Champions, a local pet food manufacturer helped support Team 02’s fundraising efforts. “We are always looking for exceptional representative dogs and responsible pet ownership,” said Canidae spokesperson Diane Matsuura.
The masks are cone shaped and come in three sizes that are specifically designed for use with dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and birds. “I’m constantly fundraising to purchase these $75 mask sets to donate to fire departments and other first responders,” said Chiapuzio. “To save animals, victims of similar situations like Emma Zen’s, is my primary goal.”
Chiapuzio selected her Labrador retriever therapy dog named Emma Zen as her mascot and will be naming her new non-profit corporation after Emma. The dog was once a victim of the Santiago, Orange County fire in 2007. Emma was a survivor and was rescued by Chiapuzio from a shelter.
