"Truly, this app is a game changer," said Darby Weston, Ada County Paramedics Director.
Pulsepoint, is an app that has been recently adopted by Ada County. First responding agencies, who work together to make up what is called ACCESS, are all utilizing the tool. They are asking people who are CPR trained, to download the app.
"It's going to make our community part of the response," said Chief Dennis Doan, Boise Fire Department.
It works by alerting users when someone nearby is having a heart attack and it's activated by the 9-1-1 dispatch center at the same time fire and EMS resources are dispatched.
"The people that are close to a cardiac arrest event are notified as fast as our responders are notified, so when they get the message, the ambulance and fire trucks are headed out the door," said Weston.
It's meant to increase the survival rates of cardiac arrest victims.
"So, the ability for somebody to get there rapidly, start CPR, and make that critical difference for survival, goes through the roof," said Weston.
The Boise Fire chief believes the tool has the ability to make a difference.
"Our response time standard is to arrive within five minutes ninety percent of the time, but that five minutes, if somebody is without oxygen, they can have some brain damage so, this way if you're just an isle away at the store, you can come over and start CPR," said Doan.
The app can also let users know where an AED is located. Leaders of first responding agencies say this technology could help save lives.
"People will walk out of the hospital alive and well that maybe wouldn't have," said Weston.
