MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - Murfreesboro’s 911 dispatchers now have a powerful new tool at their fingertips—one that could make the difference between life and death when someone’s heart suddenly stops. The city has connected its emergency medical call‑taking software, ProQA, directly to the PulsePoint AED Registry, giving dispatchers instant access to the locations of nearby Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

It’s a simple idea with enormous impact: when a caller reports a cardiac arrest, the dispatcher’s screen will automatically display whether a registered AED is within roughly 100 yards of the caller’s location. If one is close enough, dispatchers can immediately guide someone on‑scene to retrieve it. If not, they continue giving CPR instructions until Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department (MFRD) and EMS crews arrive.

AEDs are designed for everyday people to use, and they can restore a heartbeat in the critical minutes before first responders reach the scene. But they only help if someone knows where to find them. That’s where the registry comes in.

The city’s PulsePoint AED Registry has been steadily taking shape over the past six months, thanks to the combined efforts of Medical Director Dr. Jeremy Crook and Murfreesboro Fire-Recue. Local businesses, churches, schools, and community members can voluntarily register the AEDs they have on‑site, creating a community‑wide map of lifesaving devices.

“This helps us save time, and when someone’s heart stops; every second counts,” said Murfreesboro Emergency Communications Director Seth Russell. “If we know there’s an AED close by, we can guide callers to have someone retrieve it immediately.”

Murfreesboro first-responders are encouraging anyone who owns an AED to take a few minutes to register it. The process is free, quick, and could help dispatchers save a life when every minute matters.