On a hot July afternoon in Harrison, the sharp scent of smoke drifted down Harvest Run Drive as fire tore through part of a home. The homeowner was away, but a dog was trapped inside.
For the firefighters of the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department, who cover 112 square miles of Hamilton County stretching from Harrison to Birchwood and beyond, every second mattered. They knew they’d be fighting more than fire – they’d be racing smoke, heat and time to save a life.
Captain Christian Lenz, EMS captain for the department, recalls the moment with clarity.
“We were informed there was a dog inside the structure. One of our team members went in, found the dog in one of the back rooms, and brought it out in a cage. But it wasn’t moving or breathing.”
What followed wasn’t taught in any manual.
“I took the dog out of the cage and applied oxygen through a human non-rebreather mask,” Lenz says. “We rubbed the dog and tried to stimulate it. After about a minute, we saw a little sign of life, so we kept going. Five minutes in, the dog started to move. After about 20 minutes, it was running around.”
The crew saved the dog’s life using equipment designed for people. This detail caught the eye of someone across town: Stacy Prater, a 31-year veteran paramedic who saw the news.
“It was touching,” Prater says. “These guys don’t get the recognition they deserve. They’re not trained to resuscitate a dog; they’re trained to take care of people. For them to do what they did and for that dog to make a full recovery – it’s almost unheard of.”
Prater knew he could help.
At home, gathering dust in his garage, were two brand-new Pet Oxygen Delivery Systems – specialized kits designed for pets in emergencies. Each kit contains three mask sizes (small, medium, large), tubing, a leash, training materials and a sturdy carrying case.
“I bought four kits a while ago and donated two to other departments,” Prater says. “I still had these two sitting around. When this happened, I called Highway 58 and asked them if they had any pet oxygen kits. When they said no, I told them I had a couple I’d love to donate.”
That donation, valued at around $500, gives the Highway 58 VFD one kit for the north portion of its coverage area and one for the south – a critical addition given the department’s wide, often rural coverage area.
Amy Maxwell, public relations manager for the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management, sees this as more than a donation.
“It’s not every day we get to tell a good-news story like this,” she says. “These volunteer firefighters come in free of charge to protect lives and property. Usually, by the time they get to the scene, the house has significant damage. But here, the homeowner was thankful they saved her pet. We all say this – pets are part of the family.”
Maxwell points out that having equipment specifically designed for animals makes a huge difference.
“Getting a tight oxygen seal for a dog or cat can be the difference between life and death,” she says. “These new devices are a big deal.”
For Capt., Patrick Kellam of Highway 58 VFD Station One, the rescue – and Prater’s gift – highlight what makes volunteer firefighting unique.
“We have five stations with about 60 members, all volunteer,” Kellam explains. “We’re celebrating our 50th anniversary this year. We respond to about 2,000 calls a year, anything from fires to EMS to motor vehicle accidents to special rescues.”
Becoming a volunteer firefighter, he says, starts with one thing: the desire to serve.
“There’s up to a year of training to get your firefighter certification,” Kellam says. “None of it is paid. And our members come from all walks of life. We’ve got people who work in corporate America, mechanics, police officers, engineers, retirees. They’re here because they want to help their community.”
Both Kellam and Lenz are no strangers to that pull. Kellam has volunteered with Highway 58 since 2007 and works for the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management. Lenz, who handles quality at Volkswagen Chattanooga, grew up around fire stations in Germany.
“My grandmother lived on the same property as the local firehouse. I was always hanging out there as a kid,” Lenz recalls. “It’s been in my blood every single day since.”
In the case of the Harvest Run fire, small details made a big difference.
“The dog was behind a closed door in a bedroom,” Kellam explains. “We always preach, ‘When you do emergency planning, include your pets.’ One key thing is to close your doors. It limits the spread of fire and smoke. That probably gave this dog a much better chance of survival.”
The department’s success that day was partly due to luck: experienced volunteers, a close hydrant, little traffic and a fast response, Kellam says. But mostly, it was preparation.
“Our culture is built around saving lives and protecting property,” Kellam says. “Every time we roll out, we have that mission in mind.”
Prater says his donation is about honoring the role pets play in people’s lives.
“I currently have one dog, but I used to have six – all rescues,” he says. “I loved them dearly. When you lose one, it can be just as devastating as losing an immediate family member.”
By giving Highway 58 these kits, Prater hopes to offer comfort to people with pets.
“You never know when something like this will happen,” he says. “But at least they’re ready.”
For Kellam, the rescue is one more chapter in a lifelong commitment.
“I’ve wanted to be a firefighter since I was 2 years old,” he says. “And I’m proud of the work our guys do. We train for moments like this.”