» Emergency Training also given with Pet-Friendly Oxygen Masks

Emergency Training also given with Pet-Friendly Oxygen Masks

Manor Township Fire Lieutenant Luke Linnon receives a pack of pet-friendly oxygen masks from Invisible Fence Owner Carolyn Mento last week at the Manor Township firehall.

By Jonathan Weaver
More than 30 fire departments received their pet-friendly oxygen masks from Greensburg-based Invisible Fence last week.

The donated masks – which come in small, medium and large size and are worth a total of nearly $2,500 –, were part of the Project Breathe Foundation.

Owner Carolyn Mento of Greensburg has heard many success stories from regional fire departments that have received emergency kits, such as the Penn Hills fire department near Pittsburgh that saved two cats.

“We have a nice smile on our faces because we know we helped,” Mento said. “This is the first time we’ve had an entire county – this is a really big deal for us and is very exciting.”

Pet Emergency Training, LLC Owner/Instructor Karen Sable has taught pet CPR and first aid for about four years in Western Pennsylvania and did so again to fire fighters last week.

Sable is also part of the Westmoreland County Animal Response Team (CART), and will be deployed to house fires, floods or other natural disasters where animals are in danger.

“I have responded to a large house fire in North Versailles where more than 20 animals were killed,” Sable said. “The few we found alive, we induced oxygen to them on-scene with our masks and transported them to our vets. We started this about two years ago to try and get these kits and masks in the hands of first responders.

“We’re doing from CART what Invisible Fence is doing on a national basis, and have donated about 50 masks to close to 25 different fire departments the past few years. Demand is increasing as the word gets out.”

The goal is to get pet-friendly masks to every fire department and service vehicle that transports oxygen so that there are enough for multiple animals.

Armstrong County is building its own County Animal Response Team.

Katey Shook of Dime is part of that beginning team. Shook said the team has responded to a few calls – such as for a horse that mounted ice this winter - and took part in a few training sessions.

“I love animals, and I was interested in some-kind of emergency response – but don’t know that I have the time for a fire department or EMS, so this was perfect,” Shook said.

Shook brought her eight-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Brian. Depending on the situation, animals can also assist in helping other animals.

Ed DeLancey, a dog trainer from Greensburg, has also instructed numerous fire departments on how to approach animals during a disaster – such as fire fighters in Oklahoma Borough.

“The dog is going to be in two states of mind depending on its mentality and disposition: it’s either going to be very scared and timid or its going to be very fearful and aggressive,” DeLancey said. “You’ve got to quickly discern the difference.”

Manor Township Lieutenant Luke Linnon – who applied for the grant on behalf of the county - was amazed by the turnout from the county fire departments, including Rayburn Township, West Kittanning and Kiski Township.

Local News | jweaver September 10, 2014