Burlington, WA— Dennis Hoggarth of Camano Island is alive today thanks to the swift actions of bystanders including several registered nurses and a nearby off-duty firefighter/paramedic who were alerted through the PulsePoint Respond app, underscoring the lifesaving power of technology and community involvement in time-critical emergencies.
On May 23, 2025, Skagit 9-1-1 received multiple 911 calls reporting a cardiac arrest inside the Costco in Burlington. Simultaneously, an alert was sent out via the PulsePoint Respond app, which notifies CPR-trained individuals of nearby cardiac arrest events where CPR is needed.
An off-duty firefighter/paramedic with the Coeur d’ Alene, ID Fire Department was in a nearby business when he received the PulsePoint CPR-Needed alert on his phone and responded to the scene. He arrived at Dennis’ side and assisted Costco employees and other bystanders with performing CPR. Two shocks were delivered from an on-site automated external defibrillator (AED) prior to the arrival of dispatched fire and EMS units. Burlington Fire Department and Skagit County Fire District #6 firefighter/EMTs and paramedics arrived within minutes, initiated advanced life support care, and transported Dennis to a local hospital. In the weeks since the incident, Dennis has returned home with his wife of 60 years, and the opportunity to again enjoy life.
“This is exactly the type of outcome the PulsePoint Respond app was designed to achieve,” said Josh Pelonio, Director of Skagit County Emergency Medical Services. “Early bystander CPR and defibrillation can double or even triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. The use of the PulsePoint app and the training and quick response of Costco employees and community members, set the stage for this successful outcome.”
The PulsePoint Respond app connects off-duty EMS personnel as well as community members trained in CPR with individuals in cardiac arrest in their immediate vicinity, empowering everyday heroes to provide life-saving assistance while awaiting the arrival of professional responders. Skagit County EMS encourages all CPR-trained individuals to download the free PulsePoint Respond app and be part of this life-saving network.
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