Detroit Fire Department is given 800-plus pet oxygen masks

DETROIT – The Detroit Fire Department is the proud new owner of more than 800 pet oxygen masks.

The announcement was made Thursday by Patti Kukula (kuh-KOO’-luh), who heads up the Detroit Public Safety Foundation, which facilitates donations from the community on behalf of the city’s police and fire departments.

Kukula and fire officials say the donated masks are crucial to saving dogs and cats from fires.

Local groups and companies mobilized to donate close to 300 pet oxygen mask kits — containing the 800-plus masks — after learning about a house fire in which firefighters saved 15 of 17 trapped dogs. Following that rescue effort, the first responders noted DFD had a limited number of the specialty equipment needed to help save animals trapped in a fire and would welcome more.