Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office
SHERIFF ROGER L. HARRIS
PROJECT LIFESAVER
Project Lifesaver is a program established to assist with locating wandering persons with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders, including Down’s syndrome and Autism.
Project Lifesaver is a non-profit organization, internationally recognized as an aggressive and proven program that saves lives. It is not a registry system. It is an active response to the program of locating wandering patients before they fall victim to the elements or accidents.
Project Lifesaver relies on pulse-carrier wave radio frequencies, (assigned by the FCC for medical purpose) complimented by a specially trained Search & Rescue Team. Clients wear a personalized bracelet that emits a constant tracking signal. Each wristband has a unique radio frequency enabling the search team to positively locate and identify a missing person.
This project was supported by Award No. 2020-J1-BX-0003 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs.
The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice.
All applications and agreement forms must be emailed to the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office at projectlifesaver@spotsylvania.va.us
How Project Lifesaver Works
A combination of radio technology and specially trained rescue teams from the local community, including law enforcement officials, are used to form an effective life-saving tool that had proven to be reliable, practical, and affordable.
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The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office has twelve receiving devices and thirty specially trained for Project Lifesaver personnel.
Individuals who are clients of Project Lifesaver wear a personalized bracelet that emits a constant tracking signal enabling the search team to locate and identify them should they go missing.
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When caregivers notify the Sheriff’s Office the person is missing, a search-and-rescue team responds and begins a search with the mobile locator tracking system
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Technology Emphasizes Relationship
Project Lifesaver focuses on relationships between team members and people who wander, before the need arises for a rescue.
Team members are not only trained in use of the tracking equipment, but are trained in specific method of communicating with a person who has Alzheimer’ or ARMD. The person who is located will be disoriented, anxious and untrusting. Our Project Lifesaver team members know how to approach an individual, gain their trust and put them at ease.
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The Need
More than four million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s and that will triple by 2050. More than 59% of these individuals will wander and become lost. Additionally, 72% of that 59% will wander repeatedly. Nearly half of those who wander and go missing will die if they are not located within 24 hours. Others will be injured or fall victim to predators. In Spotsylvania, participants average 100 plus per month.
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Cost
The cost of the Project Lifesaver Wrist Transmitter Bracelet Kit and any related maintenance fees are solely funded through grant funds, the community, and donations from businesses along with budgeted funding by the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors. This is a free service to Spotsylvania County residents.
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Enrollment
For more information, or for enrollment in the program, contact:
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Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office
projectlifesaver@spotsylvania.va.us
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