DFR News Release

For Immediate Release:

                                                        Contact: Jason L. Evans, PIO 

               (214) 670-7949 or (469) 323-5881

                 Jason.evans@dallascityhall.com

 

Dallas Fire-Rescue to Receive Pet Oxygen Masks

 

What: Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) to receive donation of pet oxygen masks

 

When: Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at 11:00 A.M.

 

Where: Fire Station 48 (10480 E. Northwest Highway)

 

Details: Invisible Fence® Brand of the DFW Metroplex, through Dallas Fire-Rescue’s (DFR) Adopt-A-Station program, is teaming up with the Highland Meadows Neighborhood Associations’ (HMNA) Petwatch, to help reduce the number of pets killed or injured in house fires each year. It is estimated that between 40,000 and 150,000 pets dies each year as the result of structure fires; and what better than a donation of pet oxygen masks to help reduce that number.

 

Early in 2014, after discovering that DFR did not have equipment specifically designated for use on pets, HMNA’s Petwatch spear-headed a project that, with the assistance of citizens’ donations, would put two pet oxygen mask sets (three masks per set) in all 57 DFR fire stations. While the donations came in, progress was slow moving – that is until word reached Invisible Fence® Brand, which, through their Project Breathe™ initiative, agreed to donate the remaining balance of mask sets (81) to accomplish this goal.

 

Pet owners (as of June 25^th) can rest a little easier knowing that DFR is now equipped with these life-saving kits. The plastic, cup-shaped animal resuscitation masks were originally developed for use by veterinarians. Unlike a traditional oxygen mask for humans, these masks create a more patent seal around the muzzle of an animal. This helps firefighters to deliver the right amount of oxygen to the pet and also protect firefighters from an injured animal that may try to bite out of fear.

 

About HMNA and Petwatch: Highland Meadows is an established neighborhood of 1,390 homes, located in the Lake Highlands area of northeast Dallas. Located in Council District 10, and served by both Dallas and Richardson ISDs, HMNA is the organized leadership body of the neighborhood with a 14-member elected board. The neighborhood’s Petwatch program, organized in 1999 for the purpose of reuniting lost pets with their families, functions under the umbrella of the Neighborhood Association, and was the first of its kind in Dallas. For more information, visit www.highlandmeadowsna.org.

 

About Invisible Fence® Brand and Project Breathe™: Originating in 1973, Invisible Fence® Brand solutions were created out of a genuine concern and love for dogs. In the 40 years since then, Invisible Fence® Brand has protected over 2 million pets of just about every size, breed and temperament. Through products, training and community outreach, Invisible Fence® Brand’s innovations have truly set the bar in the pet industry. Project Breathe™ was created upon the realization that most first responders were not supplied with the necessary equipment to help save the lives of animals pulled from fires. The goal of Project Breathe™ is to ensure that every fire department is equipped with these life-saving pet oxygen masks. To date, over 10,000 masks (3,300 mask kits) have been donated through the project. For more information on Invisible Fence® Brand and Project Breathe™, please visit http://www.invisiblefence.com/giving-back/project-breathe.

 

In attendance: Craig Walton, Invisible Fence® Brand of the Metroplex; Ginger Walton, Invisible Fence® Brand of the Metroplex; Steve Monoghan, Clark Distributors, Invisible Fence® Brand; Michael Thomas, HMNA President; Connie Koval, HMNA Petwatch Co-Chair; Norman Seals, DFR Assistant Chief EMS; Daniel Salazar, DFR Assistant Chief Technology and Support Services.