Rich Schmitt, NREMT-P, BART Volunteer
The entire Andover Fire Department underwent BART training on April 25, 2007 and within two weeks used their new skills and equipment to assist 4 pet cats that were recovered from house fires. Just three hours after completing their BART training, Andover firefighters found a cat confused, scared and hiding in the basement of a burning home. With their new skills fresh in mind, firefighters were able to assess and care for the animal and give it a safe return to its waiting owner.
This account of the second fire on May 1 was sent to BART by Andover Fire Chief Dan Winkel and Paramedic Pat Thompson: Our department responded to Coon Rapids for an attached garage fire with reports that the owners were out of the house but very worried about their cat that was still inside. Nobody saw the cat while extinguishing the fire, however during the salvage and overhaul (fire terms for checking for extension of the fire) the cat kept running past firefighters up and down the stairs. We had the homeowner assist us with catching the cat, which was a lot dirtier but in good condition. Several Andover firefighters advised the homeowners that they should wash him off to prevent smoke inhalation and toxin ingestion; later on the cat was seen all wet and wrapped up in a blanket after being bathed at the neighbors, and doing just fine.
In the most recent garage fire, 2 cats were recovered by firefighters. CPR was successfully performed to revive one of the cats, while the other attempt at resuscitation was not successful.
“There was a huge showing of interest for this type of training,”� said Andover Fire Chief Dan Winkel. “We find animals on the scene of many emergencies, and now we know how to help them better while staying safe ourselves.” Chief Winkel is a long time friend of New Brighton Firefighter Mark Clark, the owner of our late friend Bart the dog, whose death in an house fire prompted Dr Janet Olson to start the BART program. Read Bart’s Story
The Andover firefighters wanted to express a special “thank you”� to all their BART volunteer trainers, including three very friendly BART staff members – “Jackson”� a 4 year old Greyhound, “Matthew”� a 6 year old Giant Schnauzer, and “Cleo”� a 9 year old Black Lab.
Andover Fire Department BART Training was Just in Time!
Published July 14, 2007 8:15 am · Rescue Stories
Rich Schmitt, NREMT-P, BART Volunteer
The entire Andover Fire Department underwent BART training on April 25, 2007 and within two weeks used their new skills and equipment to assist 4 pet cats that were recovered from house fires. Just three hours after completing their BART training, Andover firefighters found a cat confused, scared and hiding in the basement of a burning home. With their new skills fresh in mind, firefighters were able to assess and care for the animal and give it a safe return to its waiting owner.
This account of the second fire on May 1 was sent to BART by Andover Fire Chief Dan Winkel and Paramedic Pat Thompson: Our department responded to Coon Rapids for an attached garage fire with reports that the owners were out of the house but very worried about their cat that was still inside. Nobody saw the cat while extinguishing the fire, however during the salvage and overhaul (fire terms for checking for extension of the fire) the cat kept running past firefighters up and down the stairs. We had the homeowner assist us with catching the cat, which was a lot dirtier but in good condition. Several Andover firefighters advised the homeowners that they should wash him off to prevent smoke inhalation and toxin ingestion; later on the cat was seen all wet and wrapped up in a blanket after being bathed at the neighbors, and doing just fine.
In the most recent garage fire, 2 cats were recovered by firefighters. CPR was successfully performed to revive one of the cats, while the other attempt at resuscitation was not successful.
“There was a huge showing of interest for this type of training,”� said Andover Fire Chief Dan Winkel. “We find animals on the scene of many emergencies, and now we know how to help them better while staying safe ourselves.” Chief Winkel is a long time friend of New Brighton Firefighter Mark Clark, the owner of our late friend Bart the dog, whose death in an house fire prompted Dr Janet Olson to start the BART program. Read Bart’s Story
The Andover firefighters wanted to express a special “thank you”� to all their BART volunteer trainers, including three very friendly BART staff members – “Jackson”� a 4 year old Greyhound, “Matthew”� a 6 year old Giant Schnauzer, and “Cleo”� a 9 year old Black Lab.