Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
4100 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: 703-246-3801, TTY: 711 and Fax:703-385-1687
Duty PIO (Weekends/After-hours): 703-280-0694
Media Information Line: 703-324-3000
Email: fire-rescue.Pa-LSE@fairfaxcounty.gov
Website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire

3/27/2008

Pet Oxygen Masks Come to the Rescue

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the Fairfax County Police Department, Animal Services Division, will unveil a new life saving device for pets at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy, 4600 West Ox Road, Fairfax. Firefighters will demonstrate the use of pet oxygen masks for dogs and cats exposed to smoke during a fire. Two Virginia Task Force 1, Urban Search and Rescue dogs, “Hailey,” a German Shepherd, and “Otis,” a Black Labrador, will participate in the demonstration.

One hundred twenty pet oxygen masks were donated by the Fairfax County Animal Services Advisory Commission to the Police Department and will now be standard equipment for firefighters to carry on front-line apparatus. The pet oxygen masks will be carried on all 37 engine companies, and 25 advanced life support units.

The cone-shaped plastic masks come in three sizes. They will fit snugly on the snout of the animal and can help resuscitate animals suffering from smoke inhalation. They can be used on dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even birds.

For more information, call Daniel L. Schmidt or Lieutenant Raúl G. Castillo, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, 703-246-3801 and TTY 711. Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request.