All of Montreal’s firetrucks are now equipped with animal resuscitation equipment.
The kits were bought by the Montreal Firefighters Association and donated to the fire department, “at no cost to the citizens of Montreal.”
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“Over the years, our members have attempted to do miracles on the scene using the same equipment that we use for people.”
He points out that type of equipment doesn’t work well when used on animals.
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These kits largely consist of resuscitation masks specifically designed and shaped for animals.
“In the case of a dog, it fits over the entire snout. There are masks of various sizes and shapes,” he told Global News.
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“It’s largely designed for cats and dogs, but theoretically could be used on most animals.”
Firefighters have already put the kits to good use — saving a baby duck pulled from a sewer grate.
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“I don’t think we have any statistics on the number of times animals are killed or injured in fires, but it was sufficient enough that we decided to cover the costs to do our part in the future,” Ross said.
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Equipping the department’s 51 trucks, as well as providing spares, cost $13,000.
“For many people, their animals are like children,” Ross told Global News.
“It is something we had discussed before, but realized that it was not a priority for the city budget.”
rachel.lau@globalnews.ca
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