Waukesha County gaining a new tool for emergency response

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Waukesha County has announced a new way to assist in lifesaving efforts within the community. The county issued a Tuesday, June 4 press release touting the launch of the PulsePoint app, a tool aimed at enhancing emergency response capabilities.

PulsePoint is a free mobile app designed to alert CPR-trained individuals to nearby cardiac emergencies, including overdoses. The app aims to help build a comprehensive Automated External Defibrillator registry while informing the community of emergency activities in real time.

The press release that the county adopted PulsePoint to improve response times and outcomes during cardiac events.

According to the Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services, in 2021, over two-thirds of drug-related deaths in the county involved fentanyl. The county noted a 20% decrease in overdose deaths from 2022 to 2023, along with a 35% decrease since 2021.

Another facet of the program is PulsePoint AED, a companion application that allows users to report and update AED locations. This feature helps emergency responders and nearby citizens find an AED quickly during a cardiac emergency.

The app's integration with naloxone availability aims to bolster response efforts in overdoses.

Additional information can be found by visiting PulsePoint online.