Tuesday, June 28, 2016
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
In a fire emergency or accident, a family wants all members saved, including those with fur, paws and tails.
That was the catalyst for Never Muzzled, an animal-advocacy group, to partner with Youngstown Fire Department on a recent fundraiser in order to buy pet oxygen masks.
Linda Liguori and her daughter, Amanda, both of Newton Falls, and Sarah Harrison of Cortland, coordinate the 501(c)(3) organization that secured nonprofit status in May 2015.
“Pets are part of the family,” Liguori said.
Liguori said the need for pet oxygen masks was brought to Never Muzzled’s attention through a relative of a YFD firefighter who is involved in animal rescue.
“We learned that such equipment usually isn’t in the budget,” Liguori said.
Never Muzzled researched the Mahoning Valley situation and found most of the fire departments in Mahoning and Trumbull counties did not have these masks. Volunteers decided to raise funds to cover as many departments as possible.
A fundraiser took place May 21 at The Federal, 110 W. Federal St., downtown Youngstown, and raised $6,000. That was enough to buy 90 pet oxygen mask kits and cover expenses.
Local businesses and residents donated 197 items for the basket auction with a 50-50 drawing. The Federal was packed with people, Liguori said, and the restaurant donated 15 percent of meal purchases during the event.
Tony Ciccone, union president of Youngstown Professional Firefighters International Association of Fire Fighters Local 312, said the pet oxygen masks “will be a tremendous help” in fire emergencies.
“We’ve had instances where we could have used the mask and didn’t have it,” he said.
“Pets are an extension of the family, and this will allow us to help them.”
He added the new law in Ohio that allows firefighters to administer first aid to dogs and cats rescued from house fires and other emergency situations is a another positive step.
Liguori said Never Muzzled recently presented 13 kits to YFD, one for each of its active trucks. YFD was the biggest department on Never Muzzled’s list. Harrison brought her dog, Mookie, a Golden retriever, who is a search-and-rescue dog with the Mecca Fire Department. Mookie cooperated with a demonstration on how the masks work.
Liguori said the list of departments that could use the masks grew quickly.
“We provided instructions on how to use the masks and how to clean them,” she said. She added fire departments “all agreed to add training” for personnel on how to use the masks.
Liguori said Never Muzzled bought masks in small, medium and large. Each oxygen mask also comes with a leash. Never Muzzled received a donation of 60 leashes and bought another 30.
“One firefighter told us after a dog was revived, it took off,” she said. “The tendency is to run so a leash provides control.”
Liguori said Never Muzzled saw this project as “community outreach.” She explained her group found out pets in a fire or accident often weren’t saved because of a lack of specialized equipment.
“There had to be a way to help,” she said. “Though we hope they never have to use the masks, the departments will have them.”
She noted the masks will be used on pets who have inhaled smoke, are unconscious or having trouble breathing.
Chief Keith Barrett of the Brookfield Fire Department said his department received two masks.
The department, a combination of paid and volunteer firefighters, would not have been able to buy the masks because it has a tight budget.
The chief said there have been occasions when the masks were needed but the department didn’t have them.
YFD Battalion Chief Gary DiTullio said the pet oxygen masks “will help give pets another chance to survival.”