Overview
- The Oakland Fire Department’s Engine 29 crew gave oxygen to a pigeon after responding to a vehicle fire in East Oakland, which occurred on Tuesday, July 14.
- Footage posted by the International Association of Firefighters Local 55 shows one firefighter cradling the bird while another held a small oxygen mask to its beak until it recovered and flew away.
- The union’s clip went viral on Instagram and Facebook, with reported view counts rising from around 7 million in early reports to figures reported as high as 22 million as outlets picked up the story.
- Viewers and animal advocates including PETA praised the crew, calling attention to first responders’ willingness to provide improvised care for distressed urban wildlife at emergency scenes.
- The episode highlights that vehicle fires can harm nearby animals and that such short, humane actions can quickly shape public perception of fire crews through social media.