PulsePoint explained

PulsePoint
PulsePoint Respond
Author:Richard Price
Developer:PulsePoint Foundation
Released:2011 (iOS); 2012 (Android)
Language:English, Spanish, French, Japanese

PulsePoint is a 911-connected mobile app that allows users to view and receive alerts on calls being responded to by fire departments and emergency medical services. The app's main feature, and where its name comes from, is that it sends alerts to users at the same time that dispatchers are sending the call to emergency crews.[1] The goal is to increase the possibility that a victim in cardiac arrest will receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quickly. The app uses the current location of a user and will alert them if someone in their vicinity is in need of CPR.[2] The app, which interfaces with the local government public safety answering point, will send notifications to users only if the victim is in a public place and only to users that are in the immediate vicinity of the emergency.[2] In February 2017, PulsePoint introduced a professional version called Verified Responder that also alerts in residential settings.[3] Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, PulsePoint is run by a public 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation of the same name.[4] As of January 28, 2024, the foundation reported that connected agencies had requested the assistance of 856,000 nearby responders for 255,000 cardiac arrest events.

In addition to Android and iOS, PulsePoint offers a web client at that allows users to view the same data that appears in PulsePoint Respond with a browser. PulsePoint uses a standardized set of incident types normalized across Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) and Computer-aided Dispatch (CAD) system vendors.[5] The foundation also underwrites an automated external defibrillator (AED) app and registry to provide location information to PulsePoint responders and dispatchers.[6]

In September 2018, the PulsePoint Respond app was approved by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and added to the App Catalog.[7] PulsePoint Respond is a FirstNet Certified app.[8]

History

Richard Price, president of the PulsePoint Foundation, said that the idea for the application came to him in 2010 while he was serving as the fire chief in the San Ramon Valley.[9] While he was out to lunch, he heard sirens and saw one of his own engines pull up in front of the restaurant he was dining in.[10] It turned out that someone next door had collapsed and gone into cardiac arrest. Since Price was the department chief, he was not dispatched to the call and did not know about it, but he was CPR certified and carried a defibrillator in his car. This incident left him wondering if technology could help produce a way for civilians who were trained to help in the event of a nearby emergency. The American Heart Association estimates that 383,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests occur each year in the United States.[11]

In April 2012, PulsePoint was one of only five mobile applications worldwide to be nominated for a Webby Award.[12] It was nominated under the category of Best Use of GPS or Location Technology. A year later, in 2013, it was once again nominated in the same category.[13] In 2014, the application was once again nominated, this time in the category of City & Urban Innovation.[14]

AED Registry

Along with the intention of getting CPR started faster and more often, a key objective of the PulsePoint Respond app is to inform those near a cardiac arrest event of the location of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in the immediate vicinity of the victim.[15] To accomplish this, the PulsePoint Foundation maintains an on‑demand (cloud-based) registry of AED locations and encourages anyone to contribute device locations.[16] This crowdsourced AED location information is subsequently reviewed by local public safety agencies with support from the foundation.[17] Approved AEDs are then shown to responders and dispatchers during cardiac emergencies via the PulsePoint AED Registry API.[18] All aspects of the registry are provided free of charge.[19]

On April 12, 2017, the PulsePoint Foundation announced a partnership with Priority Dispatch Corporation to allow dispatchers to inform callers of the location of nearby AEDs[20] when the Medical Priority Dispatch System deemed them necessary.[21] The PulsePoint AED registry is FirstNet Certified for use in emergency communications centers in the United States.[22]

In June 2019 PulsePoint extended the registry to include other collocated resources including Naloxone (e.g., Narcan®) and Epinephrine (e.g., EpiPen®), along with Bleeding Control Kits.[23]

Concerns

Some privacy experts have expressed concern that the app may invade the medical privacy of victims.[9] The Los Angeles County Fire Department, one of the many users of the app, has pointed out that The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects the privacy of identifiable health information.[24] On a ‘CPR Needed’ notification, which is sent out through the app, the only information that is seen is an address (which must be in a public place) and a business name, if available. The individually identifiable health information protected by HIPAA, such as name, birth date, or SSN are not reported or even known by the PulsePoint application.[24]

Additional concerns that have been raised are that the app can cause too many bystanders to congregate at the scene of an emergency and that those responding via the app may not be trained in CPR or AED.[25]

On May 9, 2018, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) issued a Position Statement on PulsePoint.[26]

Features

Along with being able to view a list of calls in real time, users also have the option to listen in to radio traffic to accompany the application’s incident list.[27] During a CPR-needed response, this functionality allows citizen and off-duty rescuers to hear the dispatcher update emergency responders regarding patient location, scene conditions, etc.[23] To facilitate the live feed, PulsePoint uses Broadcastify, a website that is the largest broadcaster of live public safety audio feeds, to stream radio channels within the app.[27]

On December 11, 2018, PulsePoint released v4.1 for iOS[28] that included the ability to override a device's Do Not Disturb setting and play an alert sound even when the device is muted for “CPR Needed” alerts.[29] This required a special entitlement from Apple.[30]

An additional feature of the application is an interface with Flickr that allows agencies to share photos through the app. Users can view incident, event, station, apparatus, and other photos that the agency chooses to share.[27]

Users

As of January 2024, the dispatch centers in more than 4,950 communities were connected to PulsePoint with over 3,000,000 users.[31] Some of the most well-known agencies include:

Incident Responder Unit Codes

Orange=Dispatched (?=Awaiting Acknowledge)Green=EnrouteRed=On Scene (^=Available on Scene)Yellow=TransportBlue=Transport ArrivedGray=Cleared from Incident[110]

The codes themselves are defined by each agency, and are typically followed by a number to identify a particular instance of each asset type. A legend is sometimes provided on the agency information page, and following are some common examples:

B=BattalionBC=Battalion ChiefE=EngineCMD=CommandCPT=HelicopterC=CrewDZR=DozerHM=HazmatME=Medic EngineMRE=Medic Rescue EngineP=PatrolR=RescueRE=Rescue EngineSQ=SquadT=TruckU=UtilityWT=Water Tender

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Brown. Eryn. L.A. County Fire Department links dispatch system to PulsePoint CPR app. 15 January 2015. Los Angeles Times. 6 August 2014.
  2. News: Killimayer. Christine. Madison Fire & Rescue needs help raising funds to bring lifesaving 'Pulse Point' app to Madison County. 15 January 2015. WHNT News. 26 December 2014.
  3. Web site: Pilot Program Leverages Off-Duty Professional Firefighters, Technology and Defibrillators to Save Lives. PulsePoint. 5 December 2018. 2017-02-15.
  4. News: New Mobile Phone App To Help Save Lives Announced By San José Fire Department And El Camino Hospital. 15 January 2015. February 14, 2012.
  5. Web site: PulsePoint Incident Types. PulsePoint Foundation. 19 August 2019. 2019-08-18.
  6. Web site: Designed to put AEDs in motion. PulsePoint Foundation. 10 December 2018. 2014-07-24.
  7. Web site: GPS Technology Delivers Critical Lifeline for First Responders. First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). 5 December 2018.
  8. Web site: FirstNet App Catalog. FirstNet App Catalog. 15 June 2020.
  9. News: Aleccia. Jonel. Heart Attack Rescue? There's an App for That. 17 January 2015. NBC News. 3 June 2014.
  10. News: Hartley. Eric. 'PulsePoint' app, which helps people get lifesaving CPR, coming to L.A.. 15 January 2015. Los Angeles Daily News. January 29, 2013.
  11. Web site: CPR & Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Fact Sheet. American Heart Association. 15 January 2015.
  12. News: Creaven. Patrick. San Ramon Valley Cardiac Arrest App Nominated For a Webby Award. 15 January 2015. San Ramon Patch.
  13. Web site: PulsePoint - Nominee. The Webby Awards. 15 January 2015.
  14. Web site: PulsePoint - 2014 Nominee. The Webby Awards. 15 January 2015.
  15. Web site: Spokane Valley City Hall to join defibrillator sites. The Spokesman-Review. 17 September 2019.
  16. Web site: El Camino Hospital Collaborates with PulsePoint Foundation to Launch Crowd-Sourced Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Registry. El Camino Hospital. 17 September 2019. 2015-01-02.
  17. Web site: San Diego County, City, Fire Chiefs Launch AED App, Crowdsourcing Campaign. County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office. 17 September 2019. 2015-03-16.
  18. Web site: AED Registry API: Universal access to AED locations. PulsePoint Foundation. 12 September 2020.
  19. Web site: FAQ: What are the costs involved in implementing the app?. PulsePoint Foundation. 17 September 2019. 2014-07-23.
  20. Web site: Emergency Telecommunicators Need Access to a Community AED Registry. PulsePoint Foundation. 5 June 2021.
  21. Web site: Nearest AED to be integrated into medical dispatch protocols. EMS1. 11 April 2017 . 17 September 2019.
  22. Web site: FirstNet Certified Listing - PulsePoint AED. FirstNet App Catalog. 9 January 2021.
  23. Web site: Lifesaving Information. PulsePoint Foundation. 12 September 2020.
  24. Web site: PulsePoint App Now Available to Los Angeles County. LACFD. 17 January 2015.
  25. Web site: Sioux Falls Pulse Point. 17 January 2015.
  26. Web site: Using Mobile Technology to Increase Cardiac Arrest Survival Rates. 5 December 2018.
  27. Web site: Technical Information. PulsePoint. 15 January 2015. 2014-07-24.
  28. Web site: PulsePoint Respond December 2018 Update. 18 December 2018. 2018-12-08.
  29. Web site: Critical Alerts. 18 December 2018. 2018-11-25.
  30. Web site: The authorization status to play sounds for critical alerts.. 18 December 2018.
  31. Web site: PulsePoint by the numbers. PulsePoint Foundation (Stats). 5 June 2021.
  32. Web site: City of Akron launches life-saving PulsePoint app. FOX 8 TV Cleveland. 31 May 2018. 14 September 2019.
  33. Web site: Community Services - PulsePoint. Alameda County Fire Department. 19 August 2019.
  34. Web site: Albuquerque Fire Rescue - PulsePoint. City of Albuquerque. 12 September 2019.
  35. Web site: Help Save a Life: PulsePoint Now in Anne Arundel County. Anne Arundel Medical Center. 16 September 2019. 2018-05-24.
  36. Web site: Atlanta Fire Rescue Department Quarterly Report. Atlanta City Council. 19 August 2019.
  37. Web site: PulsePoint app now available in Monroe County. Hoosier Times. 16 September 2019.
  38. Web site: Brevard County Welcomes PulsePoint. Brevard County. 12 September 2019.
  39. Web site: New smartphone app could save lives. Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). 5 December 2018.
  40. Web site: County Fire Dept Connects to Life-Saving App. San Luis Obispo County Fire Department. 19 August 2019.
  41. Web site: Life Will You Save Today?. City of Chesapeake. 19 August 2019.
  42. Web site: UC Health, Cincinnati Fire Department Launch PulsePoint Respond. UC Health. 5 July 2022.
  43. Web site: CGFD Kicks off CPR Awareness Week with Launch of AED Campaign. 2 June 2017.
  44. Web site: PulsePoint app, used in Las Vegas Valley, can be lifesaver. Las Vegas Review-Journal. 12 September 2019. 2019-02-25.
  45. Web site: How a Smartphone App Can Help You Save a Life. Cleveland Clinic. 19 August 2019. 2015-02-23.
  46. Web site: Know CPR? Willing to save a life? Download PulsePoint today!. City of Columbus. 14 September 2019.
  47. Web site: CTIA Wireless Foundation Sponsors PulsePoint Launch in Coral Springs. YouTube. 14 September 2019.
  48. Web site: Mayor Bowser Announces New Life-Saving Technologies. DC.gov. 4 December 2018.
  49. Web site: PulsePoint app now available in El Paso. City of El Paso. 12 September 2019.
  50. Web site: Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Announces Launch of Lifesaving PulsePoint App. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. 18 January 2021. 18 January 2021.
  51. Web site: How to Save a Life with CPR App. WSVN-TV. 3 March 2016 . 19 August 2019.
  52. Web site: Frisco Fire Department. City of Frisco, TX. 5 June 2021.
  53. Web site: Hawaii FD is now #PulsePointConnected.. Twitter (PulsePoint Foundation). 21 September 2019.
  54. Web site: Emergency Management - PulsePoint. City of Henderson. 19 August 2019.
  55. Web site: Hilton Head's PulsePoint app could help you save a life. NBC WSAV 3 TV. 11 June 2019. 12 September 2019.
  56. Web site: CTIA Wireless Foundation Launches PulsePoint in Honolulu. YouTube. 14 September 2019.
  57. Web site: PulsePoint Smartphone Notification and Prompt CPR Saves A Man's Life. City of Howard County Maryland. 19 August 2019.
  58. Web site: Know CPR? This app will tell you if someone nearby needs it. The Kansas City Star. 19 August 2019.
  59. Web site: Lifesaving PulsePoint app now available in Kansas City region. Mid-America Regional Council. 14 September 2019.
  60. Web site: PulsePoint App. Kern County Public Health. 19 August 2019.
  61. Web site: Vegas FD Partners with PulsePoint to Improve CPR Access. Firehouse. 12 September 2013 . 5 December 2018.
  62. Web site: Lincoln Pulsepoint user first to start CPR on person in cardiac arrest. Lincoln Journal Star. 14 February 2019 . 14 September 2019.
  63. Web site: Livermore, Pleasanton Heroes Save Marin Man In Cardiac Arrest. Patch. 15 August 2019 . 19 August 2019.
  64. Web site: PulsePoint helps save lives in first year. Journal Star. 7 October 2016 . 19 August 2019.
  65. Web site: L.A. County Fire Department links dispatch system to PulsePoint CPR app. Los Angeles Times. 7 August 2014 . 5 June 2021.
  66. Web site: Los Angeles Fire Department Partners with PulsePoint Foundation. Los Angeles Fire Department. 5 June 2021.
  67. Web site: PulsePoint. City of Madison, WI. 5 December 2018.
  68. Web site: Mecklenburg County Rolls Out CPR Smart-Phone App. Spectrum News North Carolina. 24 January 2019.
  69. Web site: Miami Beach uses app to alert bystanders of sudden cardiac arrest. Miami Herald. 14 September 2019.
  70. Web site: Milwaukee joins cities across nation using PulsePoint: 'Be better neighbors and better responders'. WITI-TV FOX6 News. 26 November 2019 . 26 November 2019.
  71. Web site: New city app allows volunteers to help in cardiac emergencies. Chicago Tribune. 20 July 2016 . 16 September 2019.
  72. Web site: The City of Norfolk is now a PulsePoint-enabled community. City of Norfolk, Virginia. 14 September 2019.
  73. Web site: OCFA Launches Free PulsePoint Mobile App for Citizen CPR Response. Orange County Fire Authority. 5 December 2018.
  74. Web site: Orange County Fire Rescue Launches Lifesaving Apps With Technology to Help Keep Hearts Healthy. Orange County Government Florida. 5 December 2018.
  75. Web site: Download PulsePoint App, Help Provide Life-Saving Assistance. City of Orlando. 8 September 2014 . 14 September 2019.
  76. Web site: Palm Beach Gardens Honors 2 Women Who Used App To Save A Life. 1290 WJNO. 5 December 2018.
  77. Web site: 5 Things to Know: Pasco Fire Rescue Adopts PulsePoint App. Spectrum Bay News 9. 18 February 2020 . 28 January 2024.
  78. Web site: PulsePoint App Alerts Nearby Citizens To Cardiac Arrest Patients In Need Of Aid. KDKA-TV News CBS Pittsburgh. 3 November 2017 . 16 September 2019.
  79. Web site: New Plano Smart Phone App Will Save Lives. CBS Local DFW. 20 April 2015 . 19 August 2019.
  80. Web site: PulsePoint Apps. City of Portland. 5 December 2018.
  81. News: Pr. George's County rolls out CPR app that could save lives. The Washington Post. 5 December 2018.
  82. Web site: Community Safety - PulsePoint. Prince William County, Virginia. 14 September 2019.
  83. Web site: PulsePoint one year later. KNBN NewsCenter1. November 2018 . 14 September 2019.
  84. Web site: Lifesaving PulsePoint app now available in Reno. KRNV TV News 4. 24 July 2018 . 14 September 2019.
  85. Web site: City Partners With PulsePoint to Improve Cardiac Arrest Response in RVA. Richmond City News. 16 September 2019.
  86. Web site: PulsePoint Enabling Community Superheroes. City of Riverside. 5 July 2022.
  87. Web site: Sac Fire Department Launches PulsePoint Respond App. City Express. 17 December 2015 . 19 August 2019.
  88. Web site: Launch of PulsePoint Application Next Step in Life-saving Outreach. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. 16 September 2019.
  89. Web site: Save a Life with the PulsePoint Responder App. City of Salem, Oregon. 14 September 2019.
  90. Web site: Get the app. Save a life.. San Bernardino County. 19 August 2019.
  91. Web site: County, City, Fire Partners Activate CPR App. San Diego County. 4 December 2018.
  92. Web site: San Francisco Launches Use of PulsePoint Mobile App to Help Save Lives. SF.GOV. 22 August 2022.
  93. Web site: California man helps save woman thanks to phone app. WTHR TV 13. 14 September 2019.
  94. Web site: Life-Saving 'Fire Department CPR' App Going National. Government Technology. 14 September 2019.
  95. Web site: PulsePoint App Available to County. EdHat. Santa Barbara County Fire Department. 25 June 2015. 23 June 2015.
  96. Web site: PulsePoint Mobile App. Santa Clara County Fire Department. 19 August 2019.
  97. Web site: Save a life around the corner: This app turns Seattle bystanders into first responders. The Seattle Times. June 2016 . 4 December 2018.
  98. Web site: Seminole joins PulsePoint app that alerts CPR-trained bystanders to cardiac arrest victims. Orlando Sentinel. 23 October 2019 . 25 October 2019.
  99. Web site: Sioux Falls Residents Use App to Help Save Lives. KDLT NBC TV. 14 September 2019.
  100. Web site: New PulsePoint Respond app tracks whereabouts of first responders who can help with CPR. The Press Democrat. 10 November 2018 . 19 August 2019.
  101. Web site: Mobile app connects South Bend-area users with cardiac arrest victims. South Bend Tribune. 14 September 2019.
  102. Web site: 2018-08-02. South Metro Fire uses app that could help save a heart attack victim's life. 2021-06-06. FOX31 Denver. en-US.
  103. Web site: Spokane FD Verified Responder. Vimeo (PulsePoint Foundation). 4 June 2019 . 14 September 2019.
  104. Web site: PulsePoint App Launched With The Intent To Help Save Lives. Suffolk County Government. 16 September 2019.
  105. Web site: Fact Sheet 2015. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. 25 June 2015.
  106. Web site: PulsePoint. Get the Point, Save a Life. City of Tucson. 21 March 2016 . 14 September 2019.
  107. Web site: PulsePoint App now available to Ventura County. Ventura County Fire Department. 5 December 2018.
  108. Web site: YOU can help save a life!. Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services. 20 August 2019.
  109. Web site: Wake County EMS. Twitter. 11 November 2021.
  110. Web site: Unit Status Legend. PulsePoint Foundation. 11 November 2021. 2021-11-11.

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