In 2014, the Spokane Fire Department, along with almost every other fire department in Spokane County, joined the PulsePoint app that gives information about each call they are dispatched to and summons aid from CPR certified citizens in the event someone has a heart attack.
Earlier this month, Spokane Fire was honored with the 2019 PulsePoint Agency of the Year award, bringing representatives from the California-based nonprofit to Spokane to deliver the award in person.
Vice president of communications Shannon Smith praised the leadership the department has provided on community-based response to cardiac arrest.
“We commend and congratulate Spokane for having one of the highest rates of citizen engagement with PulsePoint in the country,” she said.
Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said he likes all the information included in the app. People can see what type of calls are happening and which units are responding. They can even tap a button to listen to dispatchers and first responders communicate via radio.