Project Lifesaver International
Archives a New Milestone with 2,500 Rescues
“Technology you can rely on, Protection You can Trust”
March 30, 2012 Stuart, Florida: The Project Lifesaver team has extensive experience regarding search, rescue, and the safe return of wanderers. We provide valuable insight and information in the development of policy and best practices to local, state and federal policy makers and participate in the development of training materials and programs to help educate and inform healthcare professionals, caregivers, school administrators, first responders/search personnel, and of course, the families of loved ones who are at risk. In fact, the Project Lifesaver’s training program is recognized and approved by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.
2,500 Rescues
On March 25, 2012 Project Lifesaver reached yet another milestone with 2,500 rescues. This was an ordinary day for many people going about their daily routines, but not for the family of an 82-year-old Norfolk, Virginia woman with Alzheimer’s who eloped from her room in a healthcare facility. The nurses notified the Project Lifesaver team at the Norfolk, Virginia Sheriff Office at 2:30 PM, indicating they had not seen the woman since 1:30pm. Three units were immediately dispatched to search for the woman. In less than thirty minutes a strong signal was detected near a wooded area approximately half a mile from the healthcare facility. Shortly after acquiring the signal the woman was found safe and was taken back to her family.
“Over the past 12 years the members of the Project Lifesaver team have done an exceptional job of fulfilling our mission of “bringing loved ones home”. This is due in large part to our comprehensive training program and the superior radio tracking technology we employ,” said Gene Saunders, CEO & Founder of Project Lifesaver International.
Project Lifesaver is one of the most effective and efficient programs first responders can activate during the first critical minutes after an “At Risk” individual is reported to be missing. At risk individuals enrolled in Project Lifesaver wear a small personal transmitter around the wrist or ankle that emits an individualized tracking signal. If an enrolled individual goes missing, the caregiver notifies their local Project Lifesaver trained emergency response team. To date, Project Lifesaver has a 100% success rate with most who wander found within a few miles from home, and search times reduced from hours and days down to minutes. Recovery times by Project Lifesaver trained and equipped agencies average 30 minutes, which is 95% less time than a standard search operations.
For more information about Project Lifesaver International and its program and technology visit our website at www.projectlifesaver.org or contact:
Joseph Salenetri
Senior Communications Advisor
609-672-1441
or
Elizabeth Kappes
Director of Media & Communications
757-531-5105