Santa Monica Paramedic Firefighter Nick Jones (top) and SMFD Firefighter Tyler McElvaney (above) apply a Pet Oxygen Mask to Biscuit, a twelve year-old Whippet, during a press conference at the Santa Monica Fire Department announcing National Fire Safety Month and the launch of “BARK 10-4,” a campaign by Bark Buckle UP, to help fire departments nationwide obtain much needed pet oxygen masks. These masks work with dogs, cats and other animals. Annually, an estimated half million pets are affected by fires in the United States and more than 40,000 pets die each year due to smoke inhalation. With the right equipment, police, fire and emergency medical service (EMS) rescuers can often save a pet's life. Losing a pet in a house fire can be a devastating experience for a family member. More then 30,000 Fire Departments and EMT offices are located nationwide and most of those have more then one Fire Truck per station. The “Bark 10-4” Campaign was created with the goal of getting a Pet Oxygen Mask on board every fire truck in the country by encouraging the public to sponsor the purchase of Pet Oxygen Masks for their local fire departments. A $25 sponsorship ensures that one mask can be purchased for a fire department; a $65 sponsorship buys a mask set, which includes a small, medium and large mask.
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