Chicago Firefighters get new tool to revive pets

Up to 150,000 pets die in fires every year, succumbing mostly to smoke inhalation. But, increasingly, fire departments across the country are using pet oxygen masks to revive the animals.

The Chicago Fire Department recently was given masks for pets and is planning to distribute them and train firefighters.

And just last week, the Matteson Fire Department was given two sets of the life-saving masks.

"We've had a few occasions where pets have been revived by guys using their own masks," Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said.

"On the South Side, they brought a cat out that appeared dead. It looked like they were doing CPR on the street. And kitty came back!"

The cone-shaped plastic masks designed for animals fit snugly on snouts and can be used on dogs, cats and even some birds.

"This is fantastic. Occasionally, we will have a pet inside a building fire. The masks we have fit a person but don't fit too well on pets because of their snouts," Matteson Fire Chief Patrick Gericke said.

Firefighters should not be in danger of being bitten when helping animals "because they are so lethargic" from a lack of oxygen, shift Cmdr. Dan Kukulski said. Firefighters know all too well when an animal has plenty of air because it'll be more frisky, he said.

Gericke said the kits will offer peace of mind for pet owners.

"Pets really are members of your family. It's a loved one, and people want to make sure their pets are safely out [of a fire]," he said.

The masks were originally developed for use by veterinarians but have evolved into rescue tools over the last several years.

Sun-Times Media