By Ben Smith
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Copyright 2007 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Firefighters in Gwinnett County will soon receive 25 oxygen masks for dogs and cats.
The county commissioners voted Tuesday to accept a donation of the pet masks — a gift that will let firefighters help dogs and cats suffering from smoke inhalation.
Chief Steve Rolader of the Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services said the donation will allow firefighters to put pet oxygen masks on all county firetrucks.
In an emergency, firefighters can slip the mask over a dog or cat’s snout and let the life-saving oxygen flow.
A small but growing number of fire departments in metro Atlanta and around the nation are acquiring oxygen masks for pets, often as donations — firefighters in Sandy Springs also accepted a donation recently.
The masks proved their worth this year after a veterinarian’s office caught fire in Suwanee. When firefighters arrived on May 16, they pulled out seven unconscious dogs, including a few that were suffering seizures. They fitted the dogs with pet oxygen masks and were able to revive four of them.
“We were fortunate to have those masks on hand so we could use them when needed,” Lt. Tommy Rutledge of the Gwinnett fire department said weeks later. “In the past, we’d use a regular human mask, but those weren’t as effective.”
Bill and Cindy Bryan will donate the masks that the county commissioners accepted Tuesday.
Bill Bryan said he and his wife were compelled by news accounts of the Suwanee animal clinic fire. The Bryans own three cats — two tabbies and a solid black stray.
“That story kind of struck home with us,” Bill Bryan said.
On May 25, Robin Sockness of Fayetteville donated six sets of masks to Fayette County Fire and Rescue Services. Sockness is a volunteer with the Fayette County Humane Society.
In Sandy Springs, a woman recently donated eight animal oxygen mask kits to the city, Fire Chief Jack K. McElfish wrote in a Journal-Constitution essay this month.
Each fire station in Sandy Springs has two sets of masks — each set costing about $55, the chief wrote.
“Every life is important to us in Sandy Springs — from the tiniest to the largest,” he wrote.
“We want to protect them like we protect humans.”