Alerto – Emergency Response App

One life lost to delay was enough — Alerto ensures no one waits in silence.

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Inspiration

During my third year of university, everything changed. I had just returned home from my exams when I found my father on the verge of passing away. He wasn’t sick. There were no warnings. I froze. He looked at me from the door — I will never forget that moment. I lost all sense of what to do. My sister reminded me, “Maryam, give CPR — you know it.” I did. I tried. But he didn’t respond.

We called an ambulance — they didn’t pick up right away. When they finally responded, they couldn’t find the route to our house. We lost crucial time. That moment shattered me. I felt everything had ended.

But when I returned to university, my supervisor gave us a project idea — “Build something that helps in emergencies.” That hit straight to my heart. I knew this was my chance to build something meaningful — something that might save someone else’s parent.

What it does

Alerto is a real-time emergency response app that connects people in crisis with nearby rescuers.

  • Allows users to request emergency help quickly
  • Shares exact GPS location with the nearest available rescuer
  • Live tracking for both the user and rescuer to reduce delays and confusion
  • Real-time status updates and submission with photo evidence ## How we built it
  • Developed core logic and UI in Flutter
  • Used Firebase for Authentication, Firestore, Storage & Cloud Messaging
  • Google Maps API for live map tracking & route calculation
  • Designed a simple UI with help from my sister, focused on clarity in stressful situations
  • Chose the name Alerto
  • Architecture, decisions, and guidance were supported by my supervisor

Challenges we ran into

  • Reliving a traumatic night while designing the solution — emotionally intense
  • Building the core version in 2 months — working long hours with little sleep
  • Ensuring real-time sync of GPS using Firebase Firestore
  • Designing a UI that works smoothly under emergency stress
  • Exceeded Google Maps’ Directions API free limit — reached out and received sponsorship: they waived charges, and I only paid $12.47

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • Turning personal pain into purpose and innovation
  • Built a fully functional emergency system with live GPS & status updates
  • Received Google Maps support during development
  • Designed a clean, fast, panic-friendly interface with help from my sister
  • Mastered Firebase services & APIs as a student developer
  • Positive responses from people saying “This could save lives” — biggest reward
  • Completed this as my Final Year Project — poured my soul into it

What we learned

  • Technology built from the heart can change lives
  • Deep Flutter skills for building cross-platform, performant apps
  • Integrating and optimizing Firebase services for real-time operations
  • UI/UX design for emergency situations — fast, intuitive, calm
  • Kindness exists — the Google Maps API team’s help was unforgettable
  • Grief, when channeled into action, can become purpose

What's next for Alerto – Emergency Response App

  • Launch real-world production version 🚀
  • Expand features: automated SOS, live call, multi-rescuer coordination, etc.
  • Collaborate with local authorities, hospitals & emergency responders I want this app to be used in real emergencies and save lives
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