Smartphone apps are not just for fun and games. State and local governments across the country are increasingly utilizing smartphone technologies to improve public safety. A few examples recently highlighted in the news include apps that help first responders locate callers, alert CPR certified individuals of a nearby medical emergency, and help residents prepare for and monitor wildfires.

Kent County, Michigan, has recently made Smart911 available to their residents for free. The app allows first responders to more easily locate a caller using a mobile device, the location of which can be difficult to pinpoint without the caller knowing their exact location or being able to disclose it during the call. Read more about this story here.

Sussex County, Delaware, and Williamson County, Texas, have both launched PulsePoint in their communities. This app alerts residents trained in CPR when someone in a nearby public space – not a private residence or crime scene – needs CPR and where to locate an automatic external defibrillator (AED), allowing them to quickly administer care while waiting for first responders to arrive. Read more about Sussex County here. Read more about Williamson County here.

Residents in California can now use the free CAL FIRE Ready for Wildfire app, which assists residents in preparing their families and homes for potential wildfire emergencies. The app also features a wildfire tracking map and the ability to receive alerts when fire crews are responding to a wildfire in their vicinity. Read more about this story here.