By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
While Christmas may be just a few days removed, gifts are still being shared. Life Support Ambulance Service was on the receiving end of a gift Tuesday which could help the four-legged extensions of families.
Citing a need for animal breathing apparatuses, the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department purchased four Surgivet animal oxygen masks with three going to the ambulance service. Those went into utilization immediately after the presentation. Liberty Township kept the fourth animal breathing apparatus for their vehicle.
Liberty firefighter Rick Harley explained why the fire department purchased and donated the equipment.
“People put a lot into their animals, they are family. Most people like their animals more than they do the people they run around with, and if you can save their cat or dog it’s a good thing,” Harley said.
Life Support EMS worker Natalie Lyons was appreciative for the new equipment.
“I think it is great. It is very much appreciated,” Lyons said.
Lyons spoke about the utilization of the animal oxygen masks.
“I have just noticed that most fires start when people aren’t home, thankfully, but their pets are in there. So you kind of feel helpless when you can’t do anything,” Lyons explained.
“They all have their own little oxygen tubing, and you stick it on and the mask will secure tightly to the animal. It will then release oxygen to them,” Lyons continued.
The oxygen masks come in three different sizes: small, medium, and large for cats and dogs.