The first aid for Fido was organized by Durham Fire Department Capt. Janie Bristow. Members of different squads will receive the instruction, and then pass on the training to other firefighters. Bristow said the training should help firefighters restrain pets injured in traffic accidents so that they would not harm firefighters and themselves. As an owner of five dogs, Bristow understands what pets mean to families and hopes the training will result in a high degree of rescues. "Once everybody has made sure their family is safe, the next thing they are usually concerned with is not their jewelry, but their pets," Bristow said.

Until now, Durham firefighters relied on equipment designed to administer oxygen to people, which was not an efficient delivery system. Once they receive the devices specially made for the pets, Bristow said, pets should be able to get enough oxygen to enable recovery. The pet rescue training comes just three weeks after firefighters responded to a fire call at a residence in East Durham. In just 10 minutes they had saved the house, but a canine member of the household struggled for life. A large German shepherd that had inhaled smoke was pulled, unconscious, from the house, and firefighters futilely used their oxygen equipment to revive the animal. "Bad stuff happens; you can't really control that stuff. But it could have been better if we had the means to save it," said Matt Abramson, a firefighter who tried to save the dog's life. "We need some training to deal with those situations." Abramson, like many Durham firefighters, did not have first aid training for pets.

Quail Roost Veterinary Hospital is hoping to prevent similar sad outcomes. It is donating pet masks, leashes and muzzles to the department. A veterinarian will give firefighters basic training on how to use the equipment. Veterinarian Chris Konvalinka said the masks will make it easy for firefighters to revive animals, and he will demonstrate how to provide basic first aid at the scene. He also will teach firefighters the systems in place to take the animals to an emergency clinic. Fire Department squads each will carry two sizes of masks similar to the ones used by veterinarians to deliver oxygen or anesthesia and oxygen tubing.

Connie Johnston, a volunteer with the Animal Protection Society of Durham, welcomed news of the training. "I think it's a wonderful thing," Johnston said. "Most people sincerely love their pets. They regard them as members of their families."