Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/662278
APRIL 6-11, 2016 UCW 11 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Losing a pet in a house fire can be a devastating experience. Many pets die each year of asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation. While firemen attempt to get pets safely out of burn - ing structures, they are not always able to revive them unless they have the proper equipment — pet oxygen masks. These specially-designed animal masks can be used both on conscious pets that have suffered from smoke inhalation and those that need to be resuscitated after losing conscious - ness from exposure to dangerous toxic fumes. Unlike humans, who run out during fires, dogs and cats instinctively look for hiding places to protect themselves from fire. Fayetteville Fire Captain Mike Reep is an engine company officer. But he's also a pet lover. Recently, he had occasion to save a family pet from a house fire on Seabrook Road. As Reep's Engine-3 crew made sure all the residents were safe during a primary search of the house, he heard a dog barking. "It was terrible," he said in an interview with Up & Coming Weekly. Rescuers found the medium size dog hiding in a bedroom where fire - fighters had just knocked down flames. The animal was rescued from the burning house and resuscitated by Reep using a pet oxygen recovery mask easily attached to a standard oxygen tank. Depending on the size of the ani- mal and the degree of distress it's in, measured doses of ¼ liter to 15 liters per minute of oxygen are administered, he said. Fayetteville Fire Chief Ben Major says five years ago the ASPCA donated enough pet masks to equip all 16 city fire engines. "We're in the life saving business," he observed. A pet had been rescued from a burning house on Amye Street in the Eccles Park area off Murchison Road. In that instance, firefighters had used a standard size oxygen mask designated for people. Publicity got the ASPCA's attention and the organi - zation almost immediately made the donation to the city fire department, according to Major. If purchased, the three-mask kits and hoses retail for about $90, accord- ing to Assistant Fire Chief Richard Bradshaw. He says each kit contains masks for use with small, medium and large animals. They're so versatile they can be used on just about any air-breathing animal from a bird to a St. Bernard. The masks are reusable, sturdy and easily cleaned. NEWS Pet Resuscitation by JEFF THOMPSON JEFF THOMPSON, Senior News Reporter. COMMENTS? news@upandcomingweekly. com. 910.484.6200. C A P E F E A R R E G I O N A L T H E A T R E P R E S E N T S Apr –, By Joseph Kesselring CFRT_15-16_A&OL_Shadowbox_FINAL.pdf 1 9/8/15 12:05 PM For Tickets: 910-323-4233 or visit www.CFRT.org Libby Seymour Abby Brewster Patty Cucco Martha Brewster screwball comedy + gothic chills = a potent mix It's sure to send a few delicious shivers up your spine , but don't worry, we promise you won't die laughing. Local fire trucks are equipped with masks de- signed to save animals. Does your advertising leave you feeling this way? Advertising can be pretty complex. You may not know which way to turn. ere is a sign you can rely on — ours. Call us today so that our professionals can make the most of your advertising investment. Free Papers Working For You Another sign we're working for you. 484-6200 wwwupandcomingweekly.com