PORTLAND, Ore. — As we head into the holidays, residential fires become even more of a risk, especially with so many people spending more time cooking, decorating and heating their homes.
The fires that break out can be deadly for both humans and pets.
But now Portland Fire & Rescue is as equipped as ever to make sure they can save pets that are in trouble.
On Tuesday, Portland Fire received an important donation that will help emergency responders save a pet's life.
Invisible Fence donated 15 life-saving pet oxygen masks as part of the company's "Project Breathe" program.
Portland Fire said each year more than 40,000 pets die from fires and breathing in smoke.
Unfortunately, in many cases first responders don't have the right equipment to help pets suffering from smoke inhalation.
Invisible Fence’s donation means this winter, pets will have a better chance at survival if they get caught in a house fire.
“They have the different sizes but it will also make sure with this gasket it will fit correctly and have a good seal around the muzzle to be able to give them as much oxygen as possible,” said Kim Kosmas with Portland Fire & Rescue.
“We’ve done Hillsboro. We’ve done Newberg and Sherwood, so we're trying to get out to every fire station that does not have these to provide these at no charge,” said Pamela Fielder, a pet consultant with Invisible Fence, the company that donated the masks.
While Portland Fire has used pet oxygen masks for years, emergency responders say more masks mean more chances a pet will survive a fire.
Since Invisible Fence started its "Project Breathe" program, 24,000 masks have been donated to first responders.