Emergency assistance app geared towards NWM?
In a bid to enhance emergency response in rural areas, a motion has been submitted to the county council in Northwest Mecklenburg by the CDU. The proposal aims to improve the quality and safety of life in these regions by introducing a First Responder or First Aid app for emergency services.
The app, if implemented, would be particularly beneficial in areas where the rescue route time is longer, and every minute counts. According to the German Resuscitation Council, irreversible brain damage can develop as early as three to five minutes after cardiac arrest, emphasising the importance of swift action.
Currently, the First Aid App is only available in the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald. With this app, qualified first responders near the emergency site are notified and can provide first aid until professional help arrives. However, the app in Vorpommern-Greifswald may be discontinued in 2026 due to funding limitations.
The county council members have supported the CDU proposal for the district administrator to advocate for a statewide first responder app and examine the financial implications of a county-wide introduction, including possible state involvement.
The estimated cost for procurement and annual maintenance of a First Aid App, based on Vorpommern-Greifswald, is around 72,000 euros (46,000 for procurement and 26,000 for maintenance). Developing and maintaining such an app typically costs between $40,000 to over $100,000 initially, with annual maintenance accounting for 10-20% of the initial development costs.
The app's essential features include real-time location tracking, emergency alerts, communication channels, and integration with emergency services databases. These features add to development complexity and cost compared to simpler hospital apps.
However, the Rescue Service Act does not cover the financing of First Aid Apps, causing social health insurance funds to refuse financing these interface tasks. The Ministry of Social Affairs has not been able to finance or initiate discussions for funding since 2021.
Despite these challenges, the county administration supports the idea of introducing such an app in Northwest Mecklenburg. Sven Baltrusch, who explained the motion, stated that nurses, doctors, and retirees living in rural areas who have served in medical services can be utilised with the app.
Research by SWR found that in only around 39 percent of resuscitation cases in 2022 in Northwest Mecklenburg, the first emergency vehicle arrived at the scene within eight minutes. Defibrillation should ideally begin within these minutes, but at the latest after six to eight minutes. A data analysis by Southwest Broadcasting found that out of at least 1,060 people who were revived each year in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, only about 140 survived with acute heart problems.
The implementation of a First Responder or First Aid App could potentially bridge this gap and significantly improve emergency response times in rural areas of Northwest Mecklenburg.
The county council members have expressed support for the CDU's proposal, suggesting that a statewide first responder app should be advocated by the district administrator, considering the financial implications of a county-wide introduction. In the realm of health and wellness, such an app could potentially reduce the impact of medical-conditions during emergencies in rural areas, particularly when rescue route times are longer. The science behind swift action during cardiac arrest suggests that irreversible brain damage can develop as early as three to five minutes after cardiac arrest, reinforcing the importance of a timely response.
