Brownwood Fire Department received a special gift of canine rescue masks on Tuesday morning from a family that has deep roots in Brownwood and a special love for dogs.

Brownwood native Nick Harrison, along with his twin sister Pene and mother Joyce Harrison were present Tuesday morning at Brownwood Fire Department’s Station 1 to present three kits from the Emma Zen Foundation.  Each kit contains a canine rescue oxygen mask along with a training video and printed materials guiding first responders in their use.

Nick Harrison and his wife Kay annually make a donation to a charitable organization in lieu of personal exchange of Christmas gifts for each other.

This year, they chose the Emma Zen Foundation, which Nick’s sister introduced him to after donating two masks herself to the Benbrook, Texas Fire Department where Nick now resides with his wife.  Nick and Kay decided to make their donation to the foundation to benefit his hometown of Brownwood.  The three masks donated were in honor of Nick and Pene’s mother Joyce and in memorial to his dad and former Brownwood City Attorney Gilbert Newton Harrison, Jr.; in honor of his twin sister Pene; and in honor of his other sister Sarah and husband Tom Fair.

“I’ve had enough gifts in my lifetime,” said Nick.  “Sometimes firefighters see homes burn to the ground and a family will find their pet and that makes all the difference, gives them hope.”

Although Nick and his siblings no longer live in Brownwood, they have deep connections and love for the city.  The Harrison family has resided in Brownwood for more than 100 years according to Nick.  His grandfather, Gilbert Newton, Sr., was at one time the county judge.   His father and grandfather both had law firms in Brownwood for years as well.

Nick has had a career in firefighting for more than 20 years and currently works as the Texas Forest Service’s State Fire Wise Coordinator and often returns to Brownwood to teach training to other firefighters as well as visit his mother, who continues to reside in Brownwood.

Brownwood Fire Chief Del Albright expressed the department’s gratitude for the donation.  He explained that many times in the past, when firefighters rescue dogs from burning or smoke filled homes, they attempt to resuscitate them and have had to use pediatric masks which are not shaped correctly to do the best job on a canine’s muzzle.

“This will be a lot better, they will have a better chance with surviving smoke inhalation.  We will absolutely make efforts to save pets, absolutely.  Pets are like family, especially to children, and may even be a best friend, so we do the best we can,” explained Albright.  “Most firefighters are animal lovers.  It’s a life and that is our business, saving lives.  They are not humans but they are a life that we cherish and try to save.  It is a priority of ours, they are a treasure.”

Albright stated that the department has looked into buying these rescue masks and are excited to have the new resource.  Each of the three masks will be placed on one of the “first out” trucks at the BFD stations: Engine 2, Truck 1 and Rescue 1.

For more information about the Emma Zen Foundation or to make a donation, please visit their website