STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County has quietly ended its contract with PulsePoint, a mobile app that alerts nearby users when someone in a public space is experiencing cardiac arrest and may need CPR. The decision marks the conclusion of an eight-year relationship with the public safety technology.
The county’s contract with PulsePoint expired in April 2025 and was not renewed. Officials say the service, which once promised to help save lives by quickly mobilizing CPR-trained residents, no longer delivers on its original purpose.
“Our contract with PulsePoint did not extend beyond April of this year,” said Katie Brady, Public Information Officer for Stafford County Fire and Rescue. “Since Stafford County began utilizing PulsePoint, its utility changed from its intended use for community notification of cardiac arrests in public places. SCFR has not seen an increase in bystander CPR as a result of information provided in the app.”
Stafford joined PulsePoint in 2017. The county paid $8,500 annually to maintain the service.
Instead of continuing with the app, the fire and rescue department plans to invest in community outreach efforts. Brady said the department will continue offering hands-only CPR training at public events and sharing incident-related information, such as road closures, through social media, news outlets, and its Stafford Alerts system.
PulsePoint Responds
PulsePoint, however, maintains that its platform is still widely effective and used successfully across North America.
“We’re open to communicating with the county on a path forward, specifically looking at ways to optimize their use of the most up-to-date version of PulsePoint so they are utilizing all the available features,” said Shannon Smith, Vice President of Communications at PulsePoint. “In similarly sized communities, we have seen a significant increase in bystander CPR and AED use across our network.”
According to Smith, PulsePoint currently serves over 5,400 communities across the U.S. and Canada and works with more than 800 fire and rescue agencies nationwide.
Local Agencies Still Participating
While Stafford County has exited the program, other Virginia jurisdictions continue to participate in PulsePoint. These include:
- Prince William County
- Fairfax County
- Spotsylvania County
- Louisa County
These jurisdictions remain listed on PulsePoint’s active user map and continue to use the app to promote public safety and community engagement.
A Growing Trend
Stafford’s decision comes amid a growing trend of jurisdictions reassessing their use of the platform.
- In Albuquerque, New Mexico, the fire department discontinued the service after 10 years, reporting only two successful bystander CPR responses. The city described the platform as “obsolete” and chose to redirect its $13,000 annual fee to local training programs.
- Montgomery County, Texas, also paused its PulsePoint subscription, citing low user engagement, lack of verified CPR interventions, and privacy concerns due to the app displaying precise incident addresses.
- Lucas County, Ohio, is weighing the end of its contract after finding that most users treated the app as a police and fire scanner rather than an emergency intervention tool.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Area residents may notice a heavy presence of emergency vehicles and personnel along the Rappahannock River this weekend, but it’s not a real emergency—it’s a planned water rescue training exercise.
RIVEREX 2025 kicks off Friday, June 6, and runs through Saturday, June 7. The large-scale drill will simulate swift water rescues across more than 20 miles of the river and include live-action scenarios designed to test emergency crews’ readiness, coordination, and response tactics.
The training comes at a time when local agencies have already been busy with river rescues. So far this year, emergency crews stationed at Falmouth Beach have responded to two water rescues and assisted in five other incidents, according to Stafford County Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Katie Brady. Earlier this year, a father and son drowned at the New Post Boat Launch, one of two fatal incidents on the Rappahannock in the region in 2025.
Participating in the exercise are fire and rescue teams from Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and King George counties, along with the Fredericksburg Police Department, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and regional emergency communications centers. In total, about 30 trained water rescuers and over 40 support staff will be involved in the 36-hour operation.
Residents can expect to see emergency crews using boats, drones, and other specialized equipment at parks, bridges, and boat landings. Officials emphasize that public safety will be maintained throughout the event and that this is a fully controlled and permitted training exercise.
STAFFORD, Va. – A new class of future first responders is ready to serve.
In a Facebook post, Stafford County Public Schools congratulated the graduates of High School Fire Academy 6, a program that prepares high school students for careers in fire and emergency services. The photo shows a proud group of students in uniform standing in front of the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department, smiling with certificates in hand.
The High School Fire Academy is a partnership between Stafford County Public Schools and Stafford County Fire and Rescue. Students who complete the program receive hands-on training in firefighting skills and emergency medical response while earning high school credit and gaining a head start on their careers.
These young cadets represent the sixth class to complete the program — and judging by the photo, they’re more than ready for the next challenge 💪
Stafford County Fire and Rescue units responded to a structure fire at approximately 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in the 00 block of Churchill Lane in the western part of the county. Crews arrived about eight minutes later to find heavy fire coming from the front and roof of a two-story, single-family residence. The fire was brought under control in about 40 minutes. The sole occupant evacuated safely and is being assisted by the American Red Cross. One firefighter was evaluated for a minor medical emergency. The Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
Here’s the full press release:
Overnight Fire Damages Stafford Home
Stafford, VA—At approximately 11:40 P.M. on Sunday, April 27th, Stafford County Fire and Rescue units (SCFR) responded for a structure fire in the 00 block of Churchill Lane in the western part of the county. First arriving units marked on scene approximately 8 minutes later and reported heavy fire coming from the front and roof of a large, two-story, single-family residence. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire, despite structural instability, and brought the structure fire under control in approximately 40 minutes.
The single occupant of the residence was able to evacuate prior to the arrival of units and is being assisted by the American Red Cross. One firefighter was evaluated for a minor medical emergency.
The fire is under routine investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter to get local news you can trust.
https://www.potomaclocal.com/email-subscription/
A fire on Easter evening displaced five residents from a single-family home in the 400 block of Smith Street, near Brooke Road in Stafford County. Fire and rescue crews from Stafford and Fredericksburg responded to the scene just before 6 p.m. and quickly brought the blaze under control within 20 minutes.
One person was home at the time and safely evacuated after being alerted by neighbors. Two individuals were treated on scene for minor smoke inhalation. The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Press Release
For Immediate Release – April 20, 2025Five Displaced After Structure Fire
Stafford, VA—Just before 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, April 20th, units from Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) and the Fredericksburg Fire Department responded for a structure fire in the 400 block of Smith Street near the intersection of Brooke Road. First arriving units marked on scene approximately 5 minutes later and reported smoke coming from the front of a single-story, single-family residence. Further investigation revealed fire in the back of the residence. Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and brought the structure fire under control in less than 20 minutes.The residence was occupied at the time of the fire by one occupant, who was able to evacuate prior to the arrival of units. In total, five people were displaced. The single occupant at the time of the fire was alerted by two neighbors. Those individuals were evaluated on scene for minor smoke inhalation. The occupants of the residence are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
The fire is under routine investigation by the Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Photo courtesy: Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department
Firefighters responded to an early morning blaze in Stafford County’s Lake Arrowhead neighborhood.
Just before 7 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) units were dispatched to the 100 block of Woodland Drive for a reported house fire. First responders found flames from the side of a single-story, single-family home.
Fire crews deployed hose lines inside the home, containing the fire within 10 minutes. No one was home at the time, and all occupants have been accounted for. No injuries were reported.
The Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire. SCFR received assistance on the scene from Quantico Fire & Emergency Services and the Fauquier County Fire Rescue System.
Firefighters found a single-wide mobile home fully engulfed in flames, with fire spreading to nearby wooded areas. Crews worked to contain the fire and brought the structure fire under control in less than 15 minutes, according to Stafford fire and rescue spokeswoman Katie Brady. The brush fire, which spread across one acre, was contained within 30 minutes, she added.
The mobile home was unoccupied at the time of the fire. Multiple passersby reported the fire. No residents were displaced, and no injuries were reported.
The Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire. Quantico Fire and Emergency Services assisted on the scene.
At 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, February 23, Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) units were dispatched to the 400 block of Club House Road in the England Run subdivision in south Stafford for a reported structure fire. Crews arrived within two minutes and found smoke coming from the side of a three-story, end-unit townhouse.
Firefighters brought the fire under control in under 20 minutes. While searching the house, they rescued two cats. All human occupants had safely evacuated before emergency crews arrived, and no injuries were reported. Officials confirmed that smoke alarms were functioning during the fire, which helped alert residents to the danger.
The Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire. Fire crews received assistance from the Fredericksburg Fire Department on the scene.
Authorities continue to urge residents to maintain working smoke alarms and practice fire safety measures to prevent similar incidents.
Just before 7:40 p.m. on February 15, Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) units rushed to a structure fire at a home on Deene Court near Choptank Road. Crews arrived in under five minutes, finding smoke pouring from the front of the single-family residence and heavy flames engulfing the attic and basement on the side and rear of the home.
Firefighters swiftly contained the blaze, bringing it under control within 15 minutes. While searching the home, they rescued two cats, successfully reviving them before returning them to their owners.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Press release:
At approximately 2:45 P.M. on Saturday, February 1st, units with Stafford County Fire and Rescue (SCFR) responded to a reported structure fire in the 100 block of Aquia Creek Road, near Aquia Creek. Callers reported a neighboring residence on fire, and first arriving units marked the scene less than 10 minutes later and confirmed fire and smoke coming from the rear and roof of a single-family residence.
