First of its Kind Lifesaving App now available in Durham Region

GM Canada and OnStar contribute $35,000 to implement PulsePoint in the community

Today, the City of Oshawa and Oshawa Fire Services, along with Lakeridge Health and the Durham Region Critical Incident Stress Support Team, announced the introduction of PulsePoint, a free mobile app that will help save lives.

PulsePoint works within the Oshawa Fire Services’ dispatch system by alerting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)-trained users through the PulsePoint Respond app when someone in a nearby public place requires CPR for a cardiac arrest and provides individuals and users with information on where to find the closest public Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

The app will advise users of any cardiac incident within specific areas that Oshawa Fire Dispatches. At launch time, PulsePoint is available in Oshawa, Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge. 

Community members are also invited to assist in building a comprehensive AED Registry through the companion PulsePoint AED app. This Region-wide registry will display AED’s and co-located resources such as Bleeding control kits, Naloxone and Epinephrine. 

The introduction of PulsePoint in Oshawa was made possible through a partnership between Oshawa Fire Services and General Motors, and is supported by the City of Oshawa, Lakeridge Health and the Durham Region Critical Incident Stress Team. The partners thank GM Canada and OnStar for generously sponsoring the implementation of PulsePoint in our community.

After extensive research and regional engagement, Lakeridge Health and Ontario Tech University secured a planning grant from the Canadian Institute for Health Research to support community initiatives that could help save lives. This work led to the launch of PulsePoint.

The free app is available for download on iTunes and Google Play. For more information, visit www.pulsepoint.org. For more information on PulsePoint in our community, visit www.oshawa.ca/PulsePoint.

Quotes:

“PulsePoint will help save lives of residents and visitors in our community,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “On behalf of City Council and Oshawa Fire Services, we thank GM Canada and OnStar for their generous donation to help bring PulsePoint to the City of Oshawa.”

 “For over 25 years, OnStar has been committed to the safety and security of our customers,” said Mike Speranzini, Director, Global Connected Services & Customer Experience, GM Canada. “And now, as we take safety and security beyond the vehicle with our innovative products, we’re proud to support PulsePoint in the City of Oshawa. The new PulsePoint app aligns with our overall goal to protect our communities, and we’re excited to support our fellow first responders as they help save lives.”

“As the main health-care provider in Durham Region, we believe in the importance of collaboration and using innovative technologies to improve the health of the people who live here,” said Dr. Randy Wax, Physician Lead for the Critical Care Outreach Team and President of the Lakeridge Health Medical Staff Association. “Earlier CPR and AED shocks make a huge difference in surviving cardiac arrest. We’re pleased that this app not only brings our partners together to improve our response to this extreme medical emergency outside of the hospital, but also harnesses the power of individuals in our communities willing to provide CPR to help save lives.”

Photo caption:

Members of Council were joined by Oshawa Fire Services, Lakeridge Health, General Motors of Canada and Region of Durham Paramedic Services to introduce and launch the PulsePoint Respond and AED Apps in Oshawa.