NEWARK - When fires break out in central Ohio, firefighters and EMS personnel spring into action to make sure residents are safe and cared for. Saving human lives is always paramount, but there are often other members of the family that need saving, too: pets.

NEWARK � When fires break out in central Ohio, firefighters and EMS personnel spring into action to make sure residents are safe and cared for.

Saving human lives is always paramount, but there are often other members of the family that need saving, too: pets.

That�s why the Newark Fire Department carries oxygen masks specifically for pets on all of its major vehicles. The masks were donated a couple of years ago by a local business, said Capt. Brandon Metzger. After seeing the value of the equipment, the department began budgeting its own funds for the devices, which run about $90 each.

The Newark department put the pet oxygen masks to use this month when a fire broke out in a house on Curtis Avenue. Bradetta Morton, her boyfriend, Jarrod Jones, and other family members who live in the home were all OK, but their beloved pit bull and cocker spaniel, Star and Speckles, were in bad shape after inhaling smoke.

Unfortunately, the masks can't always do the trick. Star and Speckles appeared to be doing much better after receiving the oxygen, but within a few days, both dogs died.

Still, Morton was grateful that first responders had the equipment to help her dogs, even for a little while.

�They gave us the time to say goodbye,� she said through tears. �The last thing they remembered was their loved ones loved them and were with them, not in a state of panic.�

Officials with local fire departments that have such equipment say the devices aren�t used very often, but they�re good to have on hand.

>> Read and watch more stories about central Ohio dogs at Dispatch.com/dogs

The Newark Fire Department has used them eight times during the past two years, Metzger said. The Delaware Fire Department, which received the devices as a donation about five years ago, has used them only once, estimated Chief John Donahue. The Marysville and Violet Township fire departments also have them but haven�t used them.

But when the masks are used to save a pet, it can make all the difference for the owners, Metzger said.

�It�s almost like some of their animals are direct family members, just as if they were kids,� he said. �They are extremely appreciative. Most of them get very emotional."

Until recently, the use of pet oxygen masks has been a gray area for some departments, such as the Columbus Fire Division, because state law said care to animals had to be administered by a licensed veterinarian, said Battalion Chief Steve Martin.

But Gov. John Kasich signed House Bill 187 into law in May, which officially allows first responders to provide treatment to pets, except administering medication.

�Now that it�s legal for us to do so, it�s more appropriate for us to seek getting that equipment,� Martin said. He said, though, that budget issues would make it difficult.

The Lancaster Fire Department also is in the process of getting the masks, said Chief Dave Ward.

The law officially goes into effect Aug. 31, but even before the law was passed, departments such as Newark used the masks to save pets.

The department said it did its due diligence with respect to the law, but when it came down to it, the choice of whether to save an animal was a clear one, Metzger said.

�Society expects us to be able to handle every single situation,� he said. �When we�re able to see the positives outweigh the negatives in terms of treating animals with simple oxygen, it was a no-brainer for us.�

Dispatch Reporter Mary Beth Lane contributed to this story.

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