editor@yourmonthlypaper.com
'HFHPEHU 6HUYLQJ $ODPR DQG 'LDEOR Alamo Tree Lighting Saving Lives: SRVFPD Has the App for That By Jody Morgan Originally offered in April 2010 as “FireDepartment,” the PulsePoint mobile application has come a long way since the concept was first sketched on deli napkins. Developed by the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD) in partnership with the College of Informatics at Northern Kentucky University, the app is free, fast, and user friendly. Simultaneously with the dispatch of an emergency response team by the local 911 Emergency Response Center, the app alerts Smartphone users who have downloaded it (some 45,000 to date). Users can select the types PulsePoint app alerts are sent simultaneously with the dispatch of events that concern them of emergency responders. Photo courtesy of SRVFPD. from a menu including everything from wildfires to medical emergencies. “The app really started out of pure frustration,” relates Lucas Hirst. “This was emphasized during my paramedic training as I saw a lack of bystander CPR when a room full of people were simply a few feet away. Of course we never imagined the app would grow the way it has.” Hirst was one of the SRVFPD Information Technology specialists lunching with Fire Chief Richard Price in 2009 when the incident igniting that frustration occurred. They heard sirens. The wailing grew louder, closer. A fire truck pulled into the parking lot beside the deli. A cardiac emergency was happening next door. With a paramedic at his table and a defibrillator in his car, Price realized that he and his companions could have provided critical timely aid, if only they had been contacted. Fortunately, the victim survived. Price and his team reacted to the near tragedy by brainstorming about how to use cell phone technology to alert trained individuals in the vicinity to the need for help. What began as a plan to alert department personnel, burgeoned into a method for calling the community. “It’s the 2011 version of: ‘Is there a doctor in the house?’” remarks Kimberly French, District Public Information Officer. The application uses the GPS locators in the Smartphones of individuals who have indicated their certification in CPR, and willingness to perform it. The app sends a distinctive tone to potential responders within walking distance of a medical emergency occurring in a public place. The app also highlights the location of the nearest Automated External Defibrillator (AED). In the case of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) the immediate intervention of qualified bystanders can achieve the lifesaving results. An estimated 325,000 individuals succumb to SCA in the United States each year - almost 1,000 people a day. The survival rate for victims nationally is lower than eight percent. Brain death occurs in four to six minutes, but even the best emergency medical services have response times exceeding seven minutes. Rallying responders in the immediate area to begin CPR can cut that response time dramatically.
See App continued on page 22 Local Postal Customer
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit 263 Alamo CA
ECRWSS
The Alamo Chamber of Commerce will present the 2011 Alamo Tree Lighting Festival at 5PM on Sunday, December 4th. The festival signals the beginning of the Christmas holiday season for families with an evening of caroling, entertainment, beverages, and crafts. “Guests are urged to come early and stay late,” said the organizers. Students from local schools, elementary through high school, will be performing, and Santa’s entrance this year is “top secret”! Arts and crafts tables will be available from New Life Church in Alamo and from the San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church. Again, this year a professional photographer will be taking pictures with Santa that you can download from his website for FREE or order professional prints from him. There will also be light treats and beverages
See Lighting continued on page 30
What Was Under the Bridge? Terrie Jauregui woke up the other morning to quite a surprise. Outside her home on Ranger Ct near 580 and Stone Valley Road it looked like a violent crime scene. Blood was everywhere - and lots of it. Her husband, Alex, assumed their cat had killed a large rat. Terrie noted her animals would not cross their Japanese style footbridge as usual - they went around it. There was movement around the side of the waterfall area and for the brief glimpse it did look like an enormous rat was lurking. Looking at their pond, Terrie noted some of their Koi fish were missing. Splashing was heard as the animal kept going in the pond and coming out under their bridge. With the underside of the bridge being dark they could not discern what they were dealing with. Terrie placed a call to Animal Damage Control for help. The business owner came and removed some of the planks from the bridge and noted several of their deceased Koi. A huge pole and noose were brought out to capture the beast. A 45 minute struggle to capture the beast followed. Much to everyone’s surprise, an otter appeared! None to happy about the situation the otter was barking and growling in frustration. He tried to escape up a hill but ended up back in the water. After a tense wrestling match the anVolume XI - Number 12 gry otter was confined in a cage. 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, Alamo, CA 94507 The full-size male otter was about Telephone (925) 405-NEWS, 405-6397 Fax (925) 406-0547 three feet long and approximately 25 pounds. It was estimated he came from Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher the Delta through the creek, and heard Editor@yourmonthlypaper.com running water in the pond. A trip up a Sharon Burke ~ Writer sburke@yourmonthlypaper.com 200’hill led him to a well-stocked pond where dinner was waiting. The otter The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Alamo Today. Alamo Today is not was relocated and on his merry way responsible for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement. back to his more natural habitat.