Local firefighter’s lifesaving app

A NORTHSIDE firefighter is behind a revolutionary new app designed to save lives in an emergency situation and encourage communities to know where lifesaving equipment is in their area.

Seán Peters, who’s based at Finglas Fire Station, came up with the idea for the interactive ‘Save a Selfie’ app that was created by a team of 12 volunteers and a €5,000 bursary from the Social Innovation Fund.

The app allows anybody witnessing an accident or medical emergency to quickly find lifesaving equipment, like defibrillators, life rings or first aid kits, that could be used to keep victims alive until professional help arrives.

It uses the GPS technology in smartphones to identify the location of equipment that has been previously uploaded by members of the public who are encouraged to take a ‘selfie’ with their local lifesaving apparatuses. 

Seán, from Santry, hopes ‘Save a Selfie’ will allow people to find emergency equipment that they otherwise would never know existed.

“This app will empower people to help others,” he said.

“People typically walk past 15 life-saving devices every day, but there is no database available or information on their locations. 

“The ‘Save a Selfie’ App has been designed to help people upload selfies and share the locations of emergency equipment with their communities. 

“Knowing where the nearest defibrillator, life ring or first aid kit is located will help save lives in the future. In an emergency situation, seconds count.”

The app was launched earlier this month at the Mansion House on Dawson Street with Dublin Lord Mayor, Críona Ní Dhálaigh, along with representatives from Dublin Fire Brigade, Order of Malta, St John Ambulance and the Red Cross.

“Awareness and education is the key to keeping our communities safe and the Save a Selfie app is the perfect opportunity for individuals to get involved and help save lives alongside the emergency services,” the Lord Mayor said.

Sean found inspiration for the app after noticing a trend in deaths while on call with Dublin Fire Brigade. He said that he and his colleagues would routinely respond to situations where victims would be undergoing cardiac arrest, and where life may have been preserved if those that were closest to them knew where the nearest defibrillator was.

“Myself and my colleagues would typically respond to three to four cardiac arrests per shift,” Sean told the Northside People.

“What we’ve noticed is that obviously people don’t think straight during an emergency, so we’re trying to raise awareness of where these devices are before an emergency happens, so that it will actually result in a life saved.’

The app is available for both iPhone and Android devices and can be downloaded from the respective app stores for both platforms.

Jack O’Toole