CEDAR FALLS - Last winter, a nonprofit organization donated oxygen masks designed for pets to three local fire departments.

It didn't take long for them to see use.

"Right after we gave this out they saved these dogs with them," said Dennis Wetherell of PET PALS.

The organization had given the masks to Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Evansdale fire departments. In January, the Waterloo Fire Rescue used the masks on three dogs they pulled out of a fire on Carriage Hill Drive.

The masks worked just as designed and helped the dogs deal with smoke inhalation problems. But for one dog, the trauma almost proved fatal anyway.

"The problem was one nearly died because its body temperature dropped so drastically, thus the blankets," said Sally Wetherell, also of PET PALS.

Wetherell referred to blankets the group donated this week to the same three fire departments. When the oxygen masks went out, Waterloo received 11 masks, Cedar Falls received three and Evansdale got one. Each came in a soft-sided six-pack cooler embroidered with the donor information. Now each department will receive two blankets for each mask that was donated.

PET PALS and local veterinarians chipped in to buy the new equipment for the firefighters. Wal-Mart also contributed toward the purchase of the coolers.

The new dog blankets are the same space blankets used by hikers and others for emergency survival. Made of aluminized polyester, they are designed to radiate body heat back to the person, or in this case, animal. The blankets are of a size for an adult person.

Cedar Falls Fire Chief John Schilling appreciated the donation. While sparing human life is the first concern for firefighters when they arrive at a fire, they know well the importance of pets.

"It's a huge concern for us. Every time we go out on a fire it's a concern," Schilling said.

The easily accessible new tools for dealing with pets will make it easier to tend to them.

Schilling said saving pets also makes it easier to deal with residents on a fire scene.

"If we do make an effort, then we can more easily keep people from going back in on their own trying to save their pets," Schilling said.

PET PALS is celebrating its 25th year in the Cedar Valley. Its volunteers bring pets in to visit people at nursing homes, care facilities, youth shelters and hospice facilities.

Contact Jon Ericson at (319) 291-1461 or jonathan.ericson@wcfcourier.com.