Pets to Breathe Easier in West Chicago, IL





		Christina Szmurlo, Community Outreach Specialist for Invisible Fence (on left with training dog Ozzie), West Chicago Fire Protection District medic Nick Ibraimi (in center), and Mayor Mike Kwasman with his dog Harry (on right) attend donation ceremony which included a demonstration of the use of oxygen recovery masks for pets.

West Chicago, Illinois: July 2, 2010 — The West Chicago Fire Protection District received a donation that will help prevent pets from falling victim to smoke inhalation due to fire.

Invisible Fence of Chicagoland donated oxygen recovery masks for pets to the West Chicago Fire Protection District today, and conducted equipment training sessions and demonstrations with the department. Three recovery kits were donated to the department and each kit contains three pet oxygen masks in small, medium and large sizes.

"We hope that by donating oxygen mask kits that we will contribute to saving more pets and hopefully protect pet owners that may risk their own life to save a pet in a fire," said Bill Miltz, owner, Invisible Fence of Chicagoland.

Also attending the donation ceremony was Mayor Mike Kwasman with the "first dog" Harry (Harrigan) a soft-coated Wheaten terrier. "This is a great program, and I'm sure all pet owners of our City will be interested in knowing that our Fire District is equipped with pet oxygen masks."

Although the number of pets that die in fires is not an official statistic kept by the U.S. Fire Administration, industry web sites and sources have cited an estimated 40,000 to 150,000 pets each year that die in fires; most succumbing to smoke inhalation. In most states, emergency responders are unequipped to deal with the crisis. The donation of these specially designed and potentially lifesaving animal oxygen mask sets will enable West Chicago Rescue Squads to efficiently administer oxygen to stricken animals.

"We want to thank Invisible Fence for their generosity and believe that these kits will help us save more pets; we can all recall a fire from the past where these masks would have helped save a pet," said Robert Hodge, Deputy Chief of Administration and Operations. This donation is part of a national effort called Project Breathe™ to equip fire stations across the U.S. and Canada. More information is available at: www.invisiblefence.com/O2.

For more information about the Invisible Fence® Brand animal recovery mask donation program, please contact Christina Szmurlo, Community Outreach Specialist, at 630-515-1092 x233 or cszmurlo@ifco-jgb.com.

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West Chicago is a diverse, family-oriented community with a rich cultural mix and a proud heritage. It is the first Illinois community established by the railroads and continues to be a convenient transportation hub served by three major rail lines, Illinois' third-busiest airport and three state highways. West Chicago offers award-winning schools, a growing industrial park and convenient access to parks, shopping and restaurants. Additional information can be found on the City's website at www.westchicago.org or by calling Rosemary Mackey directly at (630) 293-2200 x 139.

CITY OF WEST CHICAGO 475 Main Street, West Chicago, Illinois 60185 T - (630) 293-2200 www.westchicago.org