Goodbye, PulsePoint: How to get emergency alerts from Hilton Head Fire Rescue
Hilton Head residents who like to stay informed about local emergencies will have to switch to a new app.
Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue is phasing out its use of the PulsePoint app, with services discontinuing on May 13, 2026.
The department has launched a new mobile app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Here’s how to download the app and stay connected.
How to download the new Fire Rescue app
- iPhone: Open the App Store, search for “Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue,” and tap on the blue “Get” button.
- Android: Open the Google Play store, search for “Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue,” and tap on the green “Install” button.
Alternatively, you can follow this link if you have an iPhone or this link if you have an Android.
How to navigate the app
When you open the app, you’ll land on the “home” tab by default.
At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see icons for different tabs you can navigate to.
- Home: This is the main dashboard containing links to various pages in the app. From here, you can quickly navigate to the “About Us” page, view active calls, or see a list of people who serve on the Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue team.
- News: This tab is where you’ll find non-emergency news and updates from Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue.
- Active Calls: This is where you’ll find information for all active and recent calls that the fire and rescue team is responding to.
- Notifications: This is where you’ll see recent emergency notifications, including active calls, weather statements and alerts.
- More: Additional resources, such as events, community resources, annual reports and app settings.
How to set notification preferences
By default, you’ll receive notifications for all fire and rescue calls. If you’re interested in only being alerted about fires, but maybe not medical emergencies, here’s how.
Tap on the three dots on the bottom right corner of the screen, scroll down, and tap on “Settings.”
Under “Call Type Notifications” you can select whether you’d like to receive notifications for each type of event.
Other ways to get emergency alerts
For alerts from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, you can download the Everbridge app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Download the app, hit “Allow” for notifications and critical alerts, then enter in your ZIP code to find nearby organizations. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Bluffton use the Everbridge app.
Prefer text or email alerts? You can sign up for Nixle alerts here here.
And for the latest crime and public safety news, you can download the Island Packet app.
