Fire trucks on the Saanich Peninsula are now equipped with oxygen resuscitation masks specially designed to fit pets, thanks to NOSA. With the approval of the fire chiefs in North Saanich, Central Saanich and Sidney, NOSA purchased the pet oxygen mask kits as part of our community outreach program. The kits were delivered to the fire departments on January 22, 2015 during a presentation at North Saanich’s fire hall on Wain Road. The idea for the donation came after one of NOSA’s members spotted a local newspaper story last summer about pet-sized oxygen resuscitation masks.

Each kit contains one small, medium and large mask. This lets firefighters treat a variety of different-sized animals – dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles – suffering from smoke inhalation, toxic fumes or heat exhaustion. Before NOSA’s donation, fire departments treated pets with the larger oxygen masks intended for humans.

“Pets are often on the scene in emergency situations and, like humans, they are susceptible to health risks arising from a fire,” said Sidney Fire Chief Brett Mikkelsen. “While our members never hesitate to assist an animal in distress, this donation means that we now have the proper equipment to save a pet’s life during an emergency.”