Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
Tache Fire Department Takes Saving Pets Seriously By Marianne Curtis Saving lives and protecting property are both high priorities during emergency response by rural fire departments. Now thanks to a new piece of equipment the RM of Tache fire department has the capability to extend their life saving expertise to include four-legged family members. On February 13, the RM of Tache Fire Department became the first rural fire department in southern Manitoba to become equipped to save a pet’s life. Thanks to the donation of pet oxygen resuscitation masks by Invisible Fence Brand’s Project Breathe program, Tache fire fighters have a better chance of saving the lives of pets who are suffering from smoke inhalation. Brenda Griffith, owner of Invisible Fence Brand of Southern Manitoba, explained that the program recognizes the trauma sustained when a family loses their belongings and their family pets. “When a family suffers the tragedy of a fire, lives are turned upside down. Pets are valued family members, so we want families to know that their pet can be cared for if tragedy strikes,” explained Griffith. “We realize that humans are the first priority, but in many cases, pets can be saved if firefighters have the right equipment. Project Breathe is simply a way of giving firefighters the tools necessary to save pets’ lives.” RM of Tache District Fire Chief Jason Kroeker said the donation is an asset to the department. “We’ve seen residents try to run back into burning homes to save a pet; it is understandable but extremely dangerous,” stated Kroeker. “These masks will give residents comfort in knowing that we have the proper equipment to help their pets if they are suffering from smoke inhalation.” While there are no official statistics, it is estimated that thousands of pets die in fires each year, most succumbing to smoke inhalation. In most occurrences, emergency responders are not equipped to deal with pets. The 30 firefighters in the Taché Fire Department serve the communities of Landmark, Lorette and Ste. Genevieve, as well as surrounding areas when required. Taché receives about 170 calls a year for accidents and fire-related emergencies, many of them involving household pets. When needed, the department has used respirators designed for people on rescued pets but experienced some challenges due to
Clarification Last month in the article Ile Des Chenes Climber Ready for Everest on page 2 it was reported that Dean Carriere would become one of less than twenty climbers to climb all seven of the highest summits in the world. This statement should have read that Carriere is one of less than twenty climbers from Manitoba to take on Mount Everest. Once he completes this climb, he will actually be the first Manitoban successful to climb all seven summits. The Dawson Trail Dispatch apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.
improper sizing. The new oxygen resuscitation masks are specifically designed for proper fit on cats and dogs. Invisible Fence Brand has donated more than 10,000 pet oxygen masks to fire stations throughout Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom over the 10-year life of the program. Over a hundred pets have reportedly been saved by the donated masks so far, but that number continues to increase with each donation. Fire stations interested in receiving a free Pet Oxygen Mask kit are invited to contact Sue Thompson at (800) 661-6286 or sthompson@ifco-jgb.com.
Tache Fire fighters Jeff Shelby, Jason Kroeker and Pete Skjaerlund receive a hands-on demonstration on how the oxygen resuscitation masks specially designed for pets work by Brenda Griffith, from Invisible Fence Brand of Southern Manitoba, and Danica.
March 2013
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