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Pets across Cheshire will now receive specialist treatment in emergencies, thanks to a new initiative providing firefighters with first-aid training and equipment to care for small animals affected by incidents such as house fires.
The Skyla Project has been launched by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Watch Manager Nic Brennan, in memory of his close friends Kieran Naylor and Rebecca Foster, who tragically died with their two pets in a house fire in Daresbury in 2022.
Before their deaths, the couple had pledged financial support to the project, named after their beloved dog Skye and cat Nyla. Their families have since honoured that promise by fundraising to provide equipment and training in their memory.
As part of the project, Cheshire firefighters will be trained in pre-veterinary emergency care, including small animal CPR and the use of donated oxygen masks specifically designed to fit the snouts of cats, dogs, rabbits, and small rodents. This allows for more effective oxygen delivery to animals suffering smoke inhalation or trauma.
The fundraising has also enabled the purchase of CPR dog mannequins and specialist training models, providing crews with realistic, scenario-based training resources both online and in-person. Future plans include expanding the project to supply additional equipment to help firefighters handle frightened or injured pets safely.
Kieran’s father, Paul Naylor, said: “For my wife Kim and I, there felt like no better way to honour Kieran and Rebecca than to carry through with their promise to support the Skyla Project. Organising and taking part in fundraising events with both families gave us purpose at a time of immense grief.”
Rebecca’s parents, John and Denise Foster, added: “Our daughter Rebecca was a huge animal lover, so it was no surprise to find out that she and Kieran had pledged support to Nic’s project. Seeing it through on their behalf, and having it named after Skye and Nyla, is something Rebecca would have been truly overwhelmed by.”
Watch Manager Nic Brennan described the project as “deeply personal,” saying it not only honoured his late friends but would also save animal lives: “Their families have shown extraordinary strength by supporting it through their grief, and their legacy will now help protect pets throughout our region.”
Brennan believes Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service will be the first in the UK to receive this level of animal-focused training and equipment. Looking ahead, he hopes to extend the Skyla Project to other fire and rescue services nationwide, providing small animal rescue kits and training resources in memory of Kieran, Rebecca, and their pets.
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