May 16, 2014 – Forty-thousand pets are killed in house fires every year, according to estimates from the U.S. Fire Administration. Most of those pets die from smoke inhalation. Englewood Hospital and Medical Center’s (EHMC) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team is now equipped to help reduce those alarming statistics, after receiving a donation of pet oxygen mask kits from Companion Animal Advocates.
“We are thrilled to provide the residents of Bergen County with this added service,” said Harvey Weber, Director of Emergency Medical Services at EHMC. “First responders understand that pets are beloved, irreplaceable members of the family. These oxygen mask kits give us the opportunity to give those animals a fighting chance in an emergency situation, which ultimately aligns with our mission to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to the communities we serve.”
Small, medium and large kits were delivered to EHMC EMS, on behalf of the neighboring towns of Englewood Cliffs, Leonia and Palisades Park. The kits include oxygen masks, air tubes, a combination collar and leash that adjusts to fit any size dog, animal incident reports for first responders and pet rescue notice forms.