Reason number three: To save valuable property
Firefighters will operate at great risk to save civilian lives and, to a lesser, extent, to save property. But they still put themselves at measured, reasonable risk to save property. A pet is a valuable property and, in the case of some breeds, very expensive. Firefighters take an oath to protect life and property and accordingly, the public has an expectation that they will do their best to save their property without unduly risking their lives.
Reason number two: To save a beloved family member.
It is not uncommon for frantic family members to tell firefighters that they have left their babies in their residence—their “babies” actually being pets. Firefighters are, by nature, compassionate people and feel miserable when they are unable to save family pets.
Reason number one: Performing an effective search
When firefighters find a small animal when searching, they are performing the same techniques that they would use to search for a small child. In the photos, Miami-Dade (FL) firefighters administer oxygen to two cats found hiding under a bed, just as children are known to do in a fire.
RELATED FIREFIGHTER TRAINING
- Residential Primary Search: Their Lives Depend On It
- Search and Rescue by the Numbers
- Aggressive and Practical Search: It’s Still About the Victim
- VES: Targeted Search for Any Situation
BILL GUSTIN is a 48-year veteran of the fire service and a captain with Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue. He began his fire service career in the Chicago area and is a lead instructor in his department’s Officer Development Program. He teaches tactics and company officer training programs throughout North America. He is a technical editor of Fire Engineering and an advisory board member of FDIC International.
