Big Breath, Bark & Meow

Martin Volunteers has led an effort -- called Big Breath, Bark & Meow -- to equip each fire station throughout Martin County with life-saving kits for dogs and cats.

Martin Volunteers presented the “Big Breath” equipment to Martin County Fire-Rescue District Chief Jim Loffredo and City of Stuart Fire Chief Laurie Sunderman during the ceremony, which was held Feb. 23, 2007.

The project was launched last fall and called for a $100 gift to equip each firehouse in Martin County with an oxygen mask kit in three mask sizes: for cats, small dogs and large dogs.

The response was overwhelming, bringing in $11,560, with many people going above and beyond the $100 suggested donation.

Because of the generous response, Martin Volunteers has been able to do even more than initially planned.

Each fire truck in Martin County will be equipped with a kit that includes the set of three oxygen masks in addition to a resuscitator device.

Also, Martin Volunteers was able to purchase "Critical Care Jerry" and "Critical Care Fluffy" -- lifelike models of a dog and a cat that are designed to let rescuers train on performing life-saving procedures on animals. Each model costs about $2,000.

Martin County Fire-Rescue district chief Jim Lofredo was enthusiastic about this project. "If we're able to help people by helping their animals, overall we're helping everybody," he said.

Pet oxygen masks have become a valuable tool for firefighters nationwide. The masks fit snugly around animal snouts, providing more oxygen than human masks if a pet suffers smoke inhalation in a fire.

“This project combined a love for animals with a solution to a practical need in the community,” said Martin Volunteers project coordinator Anne Lalley. "The response from pet lovers was phenomenal. Also, one person who contributed was a former first responder in New Hampshire who said she'd seen so many people's pets affected in fires and she wanted to help out here."

THE CONTRIBUTORS

The following people contributed to Big Breath, Bark & Meow and selected the fire station they wanted to sponsor.

All Martin County and City of Stuart fire stations are receiving the equipment, but these are the ones where people designated their gift to go.

Station 1 - City of Stuart

• Martin Memorial Medical Center Respiratory Dept.
  In honor of all our pets

• Nancy Proctor

• Dr. Michele Libman & Rob Gluckman
  In honor of Jack & Casey

• Jim & Linda Westcott

• Edward & Renate Traylor
  In honor of Hurricane Briezy

Station 14 - Hutchinson Island

• Marilyn & Larry Nolan
  Annie, Emily & Maggie

• LaRue Chan & Watson Moszkow
  In memory of Harley

• L.E. Reib

• Roy & Mary Graves
  In honor of Ms. Gizzy

• Jay & Bryna Potsdam
  In honor of Katy

• Susan Torres & Sigrid George
  In honor of Bronty, Murphy, Sam & Twixel

Station 16 - Jensen Beach

• Capt. Thomas & Kim Burton
  In honor of M.P.

• Matt Sierra & Christine Richards

• Ingraham Insurance Agency
  In honor of Mick & Mattie

• Kiwanis Club of Stuart

• Norma R. Suozzo
  In memory of Breeze Neves

• Vincent & Sharyn Cerniglia
  In honor of St. Cassie

Station 18 - North River Shores

• Connie Heidbuechel
  In memory of Whipper

• Terry Ahlfeldt
  In memory of Lucky Ahlfeldt

Station 21 - Palm City

• Monique & Thomas Dolan

• Blaine & Sally Rhodes

• Judy & Gerry Long

• Barbara Kay Koehl

• Liz & Russ Stiles
  In honor of Tina

• Jim & Nancy Rad
  In memory of “The Boys” — Coffee & Cocoa

• Joanne Gamba
  In memory of Christian Hermanspan
  for his love of animals

• Dolores & Gary Wilson
  In memory of JR

• Paula Meyerson
  In honor of Alex Nathanson

• The Berardi Family
  In honor of Brutus

• Walter & Robin Bell
  In honor of Tinkerbell & Buffy

• Mr. & Mrs. Haynes
  In honor of Leonard

• Palm City Animal Clinic
  In honor of the doctors of
  the Palm City Animal Clinic

• Barbara & Ron Bush
  In honor of Chien LeBlanc

Station 22 - Tropical Farms

• Dave & Deborah Ravetta
  In honor of Black Magic

• Marilyn Kneller
  In honor of Monroe & Mittens

• Vakani Orthodontics
  In honor of Bracket

Station 30 - Port Salerno

• Lee & Veronica Halverson
  In honor of Murphy, Jaz & Fern

• Mary M. Bayley
  In memory of Noble & Chopper

• Inger Peterson

• Adelaide Brady & Martha Muse
  In memory of Noel & Suzie

• Mim Huffam
  In memory of Nikki

• Carol & Ed Armando
  In memory of Cujo;
  In honor of Buddy

• Lucy F. Kiggins
  In memory of Gilbert M. Kiggins,
  who never met a dog he didn’t like

• Ben & Virginia Meslich

• Betsy & John Richardson
  In honor of Maverick

• Fabulous Feet Dance Center Competition Team

• Sandsprit Park Dog Walkers

• Karen Miller

Station 33 - Hobe Sound

• Mr. & Mrs. Robert O. Boyhan
  In honor of Mittens

• Alice Hancock

• Linda & Stephen York

Station 34 - Jupiter Island

• Gary & Brenda Bailey
  In honor of Brittney, Sunshine,
  Cricket, Periwinkle & Breezy

Station 36 - Tequesta

• Dorothy Serkies
  In honor of Little Trix;
  In memory of Magic Trix

• Elaine Ruth D. Morrison
  In honor of Tango, Missy & Stormy

• Pat & Bob Hendrickson
  In honor of Cocoa

We also would like to acknowledge the assistance of Christy Spittler of Federal Animal Hospital who offered the help of the Martin County Veterinary Medical Association in acquiring the items for Big Breath, Bark & Meow.

Also, Douglas Young of the Martin County Fire-Rescue will train all firefighters in Martin County on the use of the equipment and other life-saving procedures.

For more information, please contact Anne Lalley at (772) 220-4472, ext. 232, or alalley@martinvolunteers.org.