A new kind of training is helping Portland firefighters save pets pulled from burning homes.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — For many families, pets aren’t just animals they’re family. That’s why Portland firefighters are adding a new set of life-saving skills to their training, focused on helping dogs and cats during emergencies.
It’s easy to see that firefighter Garet Hundley is a dog person as he gave Stormy the dog lots of love and scratches.
For Hundley, pets are part of the family at home and on the job.
“The training is great. Obviously, we come across situations where we deal with pets it’s good to know,” said Hundley.
Firefighters often encounter pets pulled from burning homes, struggling to breathe moments they hope always end well. It’s a reality crews face more often than many people realize, and one that’s pushing the Portland Fire Department to expand its emergency response skills.
At Sit Means Sit dog training in Portland, first responders spent the day learning pet CPR and first aid from choking response to emergency breathing techniques.
“We’re working with some local firefighters educating them on proper protocols the way we teach is a combination of being able to lecture, talk about it, we present actual exercises and then have them actually participate in the exercises,” said Wesley Wirick with Sit Means Sit.
Wirick says the goal is simple: get pets into better condition before they ever reach a veterinarian.
“Equip you with that knowledge, the experience that hopefully you never have to use. Should you have to use it, your pet is going to be in a much better position,” said Wirick.
For the Portland Fire Department, the training follows a recent house fire where a pet didn’t survive a sobering reminder that pets are often home alone when emergencies strike.
“Unfortunately they can’t make it out. From a fire department aspect, we will send a search team in as soon as that environment is under control to search for those pets, the smoke and heat can be very detrimental to our pets,” said Chief Jeff Morris.
Sit Means Sit says the partnership is about giving back and making sure both first responders and homeowners have the tools to act quickly when seconds matter.
Fire officials say a simple step homeowners can take is placing a sticker on a window or door listing the number of pets inside the home and possible contact information. That information helps firefighters know to search for animals during an emergency.
Sit Means Sit will also offer pet CPR and first aid training to the community on Sunday, February 22nd, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is a cost to attend.
To sign up, call 361-236-5748.
