[nana911]

I don't know how many of you have heard of the pet masks that fire depts can use to save animals at fires. They are like oxygen masks. The kit comes in a set of three sizes, puppy/kitten, small dogs, large dogs, etc.. These are cleaned after use and reusable, and since they don't have to use the exact same standards as humans, they never expire. Anyway, if you google, you will find, nationwide several stories of people doing fundraising to donate these kits to their depts. It's a great thing. In Florida at one dept the firefighters all dug into their own pockets and bought them theirselves! I've heard responders say that animals have the sense to go low and that they have never ever seen an animal die from flames, it is always from smoke inhalation.

Here's my rant. My bff's dh, found out about these kits. They have their own menagerie, and in his eagerness to do something wonderful, he called his local fire department. Williamson County Fire Proctection District in Southern Illinois, where Marion, Illinois is. (we live several hours from each other). He asked them how many stations they had and they replied seven. Sooo, he got online and order seven sets, paid for them himself, out of pocket. He was very excited to do this, he loves animals. He even got Cat Fancy to donate carriers for the sets...LOL When the sets arrived, he called the fire dept and guess what?... THEY DON'T WANT THEM!!!!!

Nope, don't want 'em. They evidently don't do pet rescue. Don't even attempt it. The kits were donations to the stations...Seven of them... FREE for god's sake.. turned them down. He was crushed. He called the next county north. Franklin County Fire Protection District, where Benton, Illinois is. THEY DON'T WANT THEM!!!! Remember this is a county that got cited years ago for euthanizing at the pound using a room, a running car and a tailpipe.. (I kid you not). The Southern Illinoisan newspaper should have articles archived somewhere.

They said that 90% of the time the pets are already dead. So, I guess to hell with the other 10%? Turned down the freebies as well. By now, he is incredulous and thinking no good deed goes unpunished. He called the next county north. Jefferson County Fire Protection District, where Mt Vernon, Illinois is. They only have three stations and in their wisdom they took one for each of their stations. YAY!!!

That left 4 kits. Her DH called me and I have multiple depts I work with for a total of 4 stations. Where I am they still leave the sleeves on their Tshirts and of course they were grateful for the donation. The one going to my city will be kept on the ambulance because they always standby at fires involving injury and they would be the ones doing any resuscitations.

I just was so outraged that these departments would turn down such generosity. Wouldn't even consider the public relations aspect. Care so little for their citizen's animals. I understand priorities. But, if there is an opportunity, then if you have the equipment... Franklin Co didn't really surprise me, they have always been several decades behind everyone else. I'm pretty sure it's not slander if it's true. I am surprised by Williamson Co. Luckily, their stupidity is my venue's gain.

I just wanted to rant, let you know these kits are out there if you want to check into it for your areas, let you know if you live in the areas I mentioned, what your departments did, or rather did not do. And be sure someone will use your generosity before you spend your money...those kits are not cheap.