Furry friends need saving too: Corner Brook firefighters get pet oxygen masks

When firefighters go into a burning home they're concentrating on getting people to safety, but pets are often in those homes, and they can be overcome by smoke and fear.

The Corner Brook Fire Department now has new equipmentto help save the lives of cats, dogs and other beloved family pets.

• Corner Brook firefighters compete in toughest 2 minutes in sport

Two oxygen masks one large and one small recently purchased by the department are specially shaped to fit over an animal's snout.

"It's part of life now, and animals and pets are just as important as anything to people today," said Deputy Chief Craig Harnum.

The masks connect to the department's human-sized oxygen tanks, to send air in the proper concentration, directly into the animal's lungs.

Harnum said another fire department he previously worked with rescued two large dogs that were in distress from inhaling smoke during a fire in a home.

'We weren't prepared'

The pets had backed into a bedroom and gone under a bed before firefighters were able to get them out of the house.

"We weren't properly prepared at the time, and it was very devastating for us as the fire department, with people gathered on the side of the road and you're struggling to save these dogs," he told CBC's Corner Brook Morning Show.

We'll do what we can and push it to the last minute. If the rescue is doable, we'll do it.- Craig Harnum

According to Harnum, a fellow firefighter took off his own face mask and gave the dogs compressed air to help revive them.

Animals can be unpredictable when humans approach them, Harnum said, and it's hard to tell whether a cat or dog will lash out. However, Harnum said pets can be smarter than humans give them credit for.

In fires and car accidents, animals "build trust very quickly," he said.

"They realize that, hey, this guy is trying to help me. I'm in stress and I need [help] and they quickly become your buddy."

Won't give up

These new masks will help Corner Brook firefighters to help pets much more quicklyand efficiently.

"The fire service in general, we're not giving up. And until we have to, we won't," said Harnum, who added several paramedics in Corner Brook are trained for human and animal CPR.

"We'll do what we can and push it to the last minute. If the rescue is doable, we'll do it."

Harnum said firefighters are prepared, and a local veterinarian met with firefighters and advised them on the correct levels of oxygen to administer to pets through the masks.