The Skyla Project equips Cheshire firefighters with lifesaving skills and equipment to save pets

Pets across Cheshire will now receive specialist treatment in emergency situations, thanks to a project to provide firefighters with first-aid training, skills and knowledge to care for small animals affected by incidents such as house fires.

The initiative was made possible through the combined efforts of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Watch Manager Nic Brennan, and the families of a Warrington couple who tragically died along with their pets in a devastating house fire in Daresbury in 2022.

The Skyla Project is being led by Nic, a close friend of the late Kieran Naylor and Rebecca Foster. The idea began with Nic, and the commitment came from Kieran and Rebecca who agreed to financially support the project initially, before their passing, alongside their beloved dog Skye and cat Nyla. Their families, moved by the couple's original dedication to the project, chose to begin fundraising in their memory.

Cheshire firefighters will now be equipped with the skills and the resources to carry out pre-veterinary emergency care, such as small animal CPR and using donated animal oxygen masks. Unlike traditional human equipment, these masks are shaped to fit snugly over the snouts of pets such as cats, dogs, rabbits, and small rodents, allowing for more effective oxygen delivery in cases of smoke inhalation or trauma.

Paul Naylor, father of Kieran, 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, shared, “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.”

With the help of their donations, The Skyla Project has also successfully acquired training tools, including CPR dog mannequins and specialist canine training models. The program now features robust training materials both online and in-person, aimed at upskilling Cheshire firefighters to deliver high-quality care for animals in distress.

Future plans include providing equipment that will assist responders in handling frightened or injured pets safely.

Nic Brennan reflected on the journey, noting, “This project is deeply personal to me, not just because I’ve always had pets, but because it carries forward a dream that Kieran and Rebecca helped begin. Their families have shown extraordinary strength by supporting it through their grief, and their legacy will now help protect pets throughout our region.”

The aim of this project is to provide firefighters with the skills and knowledge to provide first-aid treatment, including pre veterinary immediate emergency care, following house fires and other incidents. It has already provided resources that enables crews to engage in realistic, scenario-based training and use specialist pet oxygen masks and trauma kits.

Nic added: “As far as I am aware, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service will be the first in the UK to have equipment and training provided to this extent by The Skyla Project. Going forward I plan to support other fire and rescue services and help provide the small animal rescue kits and training equipment through fundraising, in memory of Kieran and Rebecca and their two beloved pets Skye and Nyla.”

Photo caption: Left to right is Kieran's dad Paul Naylor pictured together with Watch Manager Nic Brennan and Kellie Foster, Rececca's sister, together with the dog manequins, purchased as a training aid through the project.