The firefighters in Calgary are under training to perform CPR on animals. The training of the new program also include the administration of oxygen which was announced a day after the crews rescued 8 animals from a house fire.
Need for pet CPR
According to fire Chief Bruce Burrell in a release, it is vital that firefighters have the necessary skills and tools to perform successful rescues as possible, including pet rescues. The pet-rescue program will improve their capability to help pets in distress due to a fire, vehicle collision or other emergency.
All firefighters including new recruits are under training in pet CPR and oxygen delivery for animals.
The Calgary Animal Referral and Emergency Centre (C.A.R.E.) Animal Hospital assisted the fire department in developing a training module to teach crews to assess the animal, open the airway, provide ventilation and compressions.
The firefighters have been administering oxygen to animals when needed but didn’t have specific equipment and training.
Pet-control crates and leashes are carried aboard fire vehicles. This allows the crews to handle pets on the scene and transport injured animals to a nearby veterinary clinic.
For more information about this story, click here to read now.
LEARN MORE
Learn how to help by enrolling in a first aid course and for more information, check out these sources:
PetMD – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Dogs: Emergency Guidelines
Animal Medical Center – Everyday Medicine: Oxygen Therapy Explained
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) – First Aid Tips for Pet Owners