Chief’s Blog

2011 is behind us and 2012 is bringing its experiences. It has brought to mind that a reminder should be put forth concerning tracking programs and technologies. Besides the experiences, 2012 is bringing forth many who profess to have the best programs and tracking technologies available and are making large claims of success to support [...]

Hey, members and friends that have been giving us feedback. We have been listening! There are some new things coming your way! Options to help you adminster your program. Ways for agencies to get their program started easier and less expensive.
Look for more news coming out in late June or early July!

For those are are still questioning the use of cellular technology and tracking click on the link below.
Why Don\'t Cops Use Cell Phones?

This morning another headline hit the news concerning a 4 year, Autistic boy, found deceased in a pond after wandering off. This type of incident should not happen! Especially when there is a program to deal with these incidents. Project Lifesaver is available to all public safety agencies, and with the rising number of incidents [...]

Recently, I had the priviledge of attending and speaking at the Ohio Project Lifesaver Conference. While there I heard a speaker who had studied Project Lifesaver, its effectiveness and its technology. If you would like to see his study, it will soon be on our facebook page however, I thought I’d share some of his [...]

Recently I was chastised because I have not revealed enough about what Project Lifesaver has done to help its member agencies and their clients. I guess I just thought everyone would know. So, with prodding, I am, from time to time, going to place some apparently little known fact from our history on my blog.  [...]

In February, I was priviledged to travel to Los Angeles and attend a taping of William Shatner’s “Moving America Forward” show. Project Lifesaver was invitied there to receive the prestigous Moving America Forward Award from the show. We were selected for the work we have done in establishing a program to protect those who may [...]

I am very excited to report that in the past 2 weeks 7 more agencies have elected to join the 1200+ agencies currently participating in Project Lifesaver. These progressive organizations have recognized not only the lifesaving aspect but also the ability to network with other members and the vital community relations activities generated by this [...]

I just listened to the archived show which aired on February 8, 2011, on ICAA Radio. If you want to hear how Project Lifesaver makes a differance, tune in and listen to Ruth Boshart and Undersheriff Darby, of Onadaga County, New York speak about the program.

For a realistic, accurate test of remotely activated tracking devices, here’s how;
First, obtain the device and any instructions that go with it. If you don’t understand them, call the company and have them explained. DO NOT have any company representatives present during the test or notify them when you are going to do it. They won’t [...]

From time to time, in the rush to accomplish the daily rituals and the chaos of business, we receive something that really causes us to take notice. it is usually in the form of an email or letter and, as I have said many times, it reminds us of why we started Project Lifesaver and [...]

Well, the new year has arrived and it promises to be a great year for Project Lifesaver and its members. We are going to introduce new equipment, at a cheaper price and working to improve  we have even more. We have been awarded a follow up grant that will allow us to bring more agencies [...]

Several of our member agencies have reported that for-profit companies are using the Project Lifesaver member roster to contact them in an attempt to sell their products. Project Lifesaver does not condone such a use of our member roster and is investigating ways to stop such companies from using the roster to solicit member agencies.
If [...]

At a time when our country is already in mourning, we learn of the loss of another great American. Major Dick Winters, the Commanding Officer of the Band of Brothers, has passed away. He was a great hero because, in spite of his actions and leadership, he didn’t feel that he was. I believe we [...]

For some time Project Lifesaver has been challenged to test and evaluate new technologies which have, and are, emerging to help locate wandering individuals. Part of the reasoning has been that, as the leader in the field with the most successful and experienced program in the world, we should be leading the way in evaluation of [...]

A holiday story…
I heard a story on the radio last night about a woman who lost her money while Christmas shopping (it was cash). Frantically, she re-traced her steps but was unable to locate her money anywhere. She left her name at the front counter of the store, just in case anyone turned the money in.

Two days later, the woman called the store. After waiting on hold, a cashier came back to the phone and sure enough, an 8-year old boy had found the money and turned it into his mother, who gave it to lost and found.

In one of my earlier blogs I talked about my speaking at the National Autism Assoc. conference and meeting a TV celebrity there. I talked briefly with her about Project Lifesaver and what we do, as well as what our members do. The celebrity was Holly Robinson Peete, one of the host of the daytime talk show, “The Talk” on CBS TV. Yesterday, she assisted a single Mom, with 3 children having Autism, for Christmas. Part of the assistance was providing 3 transmitters to the children since they were runners. This was done in conjuction with the NAA and the Sheriff’s Office in the area.

I am continually asked about the neccessity of agencies making monthly visits to families to change the battery/band on the transmitter of an individual on the Project Lifesaver program.  Agencies are interested in why that can’t be done by the caregiver. Sure, it can by done by the caregiver, but I don’t recommend or endorse [...]

Since my last post there have been many things happening. The most notable is Project Lifesaver is opening another office in Palm Beach, Florida. We will still have our office in Virginia, which will house the Operations and Administration Division. The new office will house the Directorate/Development Division. This location will also enable us to help service [...]

Last week I had the priviledge of speaking at the National Autism Conference and, as usual, it was an awesome experience. Wendy Fornier and Lori McIlwain did their normal job of putting on a great event. The people there were very familiar with Project Lifesaver and those that did not have it in their communities [...]

October 21, 2010
Project Lifesaver Members, Board Members, Staff & Supporters-
Project Lifesaver has always strived to look out for our members and offer the best technology available for individuals with cognitive conditions who wander. We keep our standards at a level that we won’t compromise. However, recently, we feel we may have entered into [...]

I would like the opportunity to recognize today as World Alzheimer’s Day. 
Nearly 5 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s disease – an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that destroys memory and intellectual function.  Approximately 60% of those with Alzheimer’s will wander at some point during the progression of the disease – many of them, repeatedly.  The incidence [...]

I have always said that Project Lifesaver will continually strive to provide technology and programs to better enable our member agencies to cope with the situation of searching for lost persons with cognitive disorders. To that end, we have adopted EmFinders technology. This, I believe, will move us ahead in giant leaps in the rapid [...]

This morning we received a google alert concerning the rescue of an 8 year old autistic boy, who was safely found swimming in the ocean, tracked by a Project Lifesaver bracelet. Not only was this a great rescue by the agency involved, it also highlighted the importance of the program. We could just send out [...]

This morning I went to my Facebook and there was a heartwrenching message waiting there for me. It was from a mother in Trinidad who has a son with autism. Her son had gotten away from a goverment camp recently, and was fortunately found several miles away, but with no clothes on. She was asking me for help and advice. I [...]

Many times I have said “The people in the member agencies conducting Project Lifesaver are the gears that make this whole thing work.” I am reminded of that every day through newspaper articles, blog posts and even emails that come into PLI Headquarters. Take for instance; Today I received an email from Canada. A [...]

Apparently there are a couple of people that read my blog and especially our Media Director, who has been advising me that a new one is overdue. So,
Where have I been?
Actually I have been in Anaheim, CA (beautiful weather) attending the National Sheriff’s Conference, where I was able to renew friendships and meet other [...]

Sometimes being a non-profit organization can really be frustrating. Take, for instance, when you put in a grant to a foundation and receive a courteous, yet canned reply, that you do not fit into their category of funding or that you were not selected for some obscure reason. Now, I know there is not enough [...]

The past week has been very exciting for us. Project Lifesaver was honored to receive the CareGiver Friendly Award for 2010, from Caregiver.com and The Caregiver Magazine and we received mention in a story on wandering in The New York Times. In receiving these awards and accoldades, I always try to remember how we arrived [...]

With the on-slaught of for-profit companies now emerging on the scene to track and recover lost persons, with varying technologies, I have been asked what, if anything, I plan to do to meet their so-called challenge. My answer to this is - NOTHING !
I have examined all of these programs and have found all to be [...]

Many have asked why I embarked on this program and if I am happy with its’ success. In answer to the first question, I started Project Lifesaver for the purely selfish reason of giving the agency I was working with, The Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office, an advantage in recovering  those that wander quickly and efficiently. However, not long [...]

All of us, during our lifetime, have the occasion to meet people that have a profound effect on us. This could be because of the type person they are, their personality or something they have done that is truly impressive. Rarely, do you meet someone that fits all of the above.
About two weeks ago, [...]