Pet resusitation gear is here

PARIS - Firefighters have been able to give oxygen to people overcome by smoke, but now they can give it to small animals, too.

The life-saving equipment and training will allow Paris firefighters to resusitate family pets after they are overcome by smoke. The Pet Oxygen Masks (POMs) have been donated recently by the Maine POM Project, a nonprofit begun by Fryeburg Animal Control Officer Bobby Silcott with the backing of Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, located in Fryeburg.

"The original goal was to have each of the 19 towns served by Harvest Hills Shelter set up with POMS. But we've been overwhelmed at how much it's grown as word got out," Silcott said.

Donors have made it possible for the Fire and Rescue departments in Maine to receive 72 POMs, at $75 each, since the group started in May, 2009, the founder added, and more are asking all the time.

Silcott is certified by the American Red Cross to teach animal CPR and to use of the POM. It has recently been used in Scarborough on a foal (new-born colt), and a cat was saved in Waterboro. He gives a brief training when he delivers each new unit, but the Red Cross certification course is four hours long.

Paris Fire Chief Brad Frost said his department was issued its first POMs by Silcott last week, and four of his crew have been trained in the use of the gear.

"I'm glad to have them," said Paris Fire Chief Brad Frost. "I can think right off of four or five times we could have used one."

Frost credits Rick and Marsha Cummings of Paris with donating the funds for the Paris POMs.

"They're just really nice people," said Frost.

"They're typical of people who donate to our effort, " said Silcott. "The majority don't have a particular event in mind, they're just animal people, who love their pets and all animals."

Silcott said he became aware of the devices through membership in the Cumberland County Community Animal Response Team (CART), a part of the Emergency Management System. Shelters for humans in disasters must accept animals as well, by federal law. The CART takes care of the animals while the owners are taken care of by other EMS personnel.

Photo:

PET OXYGEN MASKS — Two sets of POMs were presented to the Paris Fire and Rescue department. The masks were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Cummings and "Molly." These will enable the department to resusitate pets overcome by smoke. From left, Rick Cummings, Marcia Cummings, "Molly," Dep Chief William Buffington, Chief Brad Frost, Bobby Silcott, Dep Chief Ron Longley, "Elvis," FF Mike Balcom and "Priscilla."

Photo:

PET OXYGEN MASKS DELIVERED - Paris firefighters took delivery on the department's latest equipment - oxygen masks for animals. From left are, Rick and Marcia Cummings, the donors, their companion,"Molly", Deputy Chief William Buffington, Chief Brad Frost, Bobby Silcott, Deputy Chief Ron Longley, his companion,"Elvis", Firefighter Mike Balcom and his companion, "Priscilla."(contributed photo.)