Research shows that early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and cardiac defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) can significantly increase a patient's ability to survive sudden cardiac arrest. With that in mind, the Newport News Fire Department (NNFD) is working to implement the nationally known program Pulsepoint in the City in the next few months. Pulsepoint is a program that interfaces with the city's dispatch system and alerts citizens when there is a need for CPR for a cardiac arrest patient in a public location. Residents can download the Pulsepoint mobile app for their cell phones and receive the alert if they are within a quarter mile of the patient's location. The Pulsepoint app also provides the location of an AED within a public facility nearby the location of the patient.

In conjunction with Pulsepoint, the NNFD will also conduct hands only CPR classes for the community to increase the number of residents that know CPR and can provide this lifesaving procedure. Offering classes will increase the department's engagement with the community while improving the success rate for members of the community to survive a sudden cardiac arrest. For more information about Pulsepoint please visit www.pulsepoint.org.