Pet Oxygen Masks

The Monterey Park Fire Department is pleased to announce the addition of life saving equipment to each fire apparatus within the city. What makes this equipment different than the equipment already present is that it’s designed for animals. Helping the four-legged and feathered members of our community greatly helps the two-legged members as well. When people lose their homes to fires or other disasters, knowing that first responders are there to help prevent them from losing a loved-one (furry or not) can be the greatest gift of all.

Each year more than 40,000 pets die from smoke asphyxiation. Even when firefighters safely rescue pets from burning buildings, they can’t effectively revive them without a pet oxygen mask. Now, through a generous donation from Debra Jo Chiapuzio, these masks are available to help the animals here in Monterey Park. Chiapuzio started a website, emmazen.com. Emma Zen is the name of her dog, who rides with her as she travels around Southern California in search of monetary donations to help supply the masks to local fire departments. Her organization, Team 02, is not an official nonprofit group yet. Chiapuzio said she will file paperwork to make it one so people know their donations are going only to the pet masks. She raises most money through street fairs, community events and, mostly recently, at a birthday bash for Emma Zen. They were both present here at Monterey Park Fire Station 61 during our annual Open House on May 21. Both Debra Jo and EmmaZen were a huge hit with the community.

Underground Electrical Transformer Fire

On July 21, at 1417 Hrs, the Monterey Park Fire Department responded to the Golden Age Village at 234 N. Rural Drive, in the City of Monterey Park for an underground electrical transformer fire.

Monterey Park Fire units with the assistance of Alhambra, San Gabriel and Los Angeles County Fire Departments responded to the incident.

Upon arrival Monterey Park Fire units encountered an underground electrical transformer on fire adjacent to the three-story Golden Age Village senior living complex. An aggressive fire attack was established and the fire was brought under control in less than 20 minutes.

An electrical outage occurred as a result of the transformer fire. Southern California Edison crews arrived on scene to assess the damage where it was determined that the entire complex would be without power for approximately 24 hours. Due to the power outage, 149 elderly residents were evacuated with the assistance of the American Red Cross. A temporary shelter was established for those that did not have accommodations with either family members or friends. No residents or firefighters were injured in this incident. The estimated cost of damage to the transformer is approximately $25,000.

The Monterey Park Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit investigated the fire and determined the cause to be electrical in nature. For additional information, contact Fire Captain Rick Burroughs through the Fire Battalion Chief office.