By Kristin Rover
Sun staff
Central Joint Fire and EMS personnel are better equipped to help with pets in emergency situations after a donation and helpful training they received in September.
Chief Kevin Riley said the entire department took time to learn more about animal saving techniques after receiving oxygen masks for pets from a local animal rescue.
“We were approached by a local animal rescue who would like to remain nameless,” Riley said. “They gave us the pet masks.”
Riley said they had local vet Dr. Timothy Fouts with Hillside Small Animal Hospital come train the staff how to use the oxygen masks and as well as teaching them about other pet saving techniques and information.
“He came in and went over everything,” Riley said about Dr. Fouts. “It was an awesome learning experience for us.”
Riley said they learned about everything from taking an animal’s heart rate to performing CPR on an animal.
Riley said the training was held once a week for three weeks so all of the staff could complete the training.
He said the staff were like sponges soaking up the information, and they were thankful for the help from Fouts.
“It was really nice of him to do that,” Riley said. “Without bringing him in and cashing in on his knowledge we wouldn’t have done justice to the program.”
Riley said that they have found people in emergency situations like a fire are worried more about their pets than they are about their homes.
“I completely understand where they are coming from,” Riley, who has two Labradors, said.
He said there is definitely a need for pet-focused training at fire departments, and he is glad they received the oxygen masks and received the training.
“I think we’re more prepared to handle the situation after training,” Riley said.