BRUNSWICK COUNTY — “Project Lifesaver” is an international program aimed at aiding the families of people with mental illness and cognitive disorders.
The program is operated in Brunswick County through the Sheriff’s Office. It equips individuals with disabilities with a bracelet, about the size of a wristwatch, that has its own individual radio frequency deputies can trace if the person goes missing.
To qualify, individuals must be Brunswick County residents who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Down syndrome, autism or other brain related disorders. The participant must also be cared for from home.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, “Wandering Syndrome” is a common symptom associated with illnesses like these. Patients are rarely assessed for the disorder, and it can be one of the most difficult parts of these types of disorders to deal with for caregivers.
The CDC website states that, “wandering places children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or other disorders in harmful and potentially life-threatening situations, making this an important safety issue for individuals affected and their families and caregivers.”
Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Project Lifesaver Team equips participants with a free plastic bracelet containing a battery-powered, waterproof radio transmitter. Each participant’s transmitter is assigned a radio frequency that is unique both to them and to their geographical area of the county.
If the person goes missing, the caregiver should call 911 immediately. The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office will respond with a trained team to start a search along with other emergency resources.
Search teams use a directional antennae to follow the signal back to the source. Officers are able to track from the air, cars and by foot.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, search times have been reduced from days and hours, to an average of 30 minutes. According to the CDC, this greatly increases the odds of finding a missing individual alive, as many times when they wander off they are not prepared for the elements.
An asset for the citizens
Project Lifesaver was brought about in a joint effort by the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pilot Club of South Brunswick Islands.
According to Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Emily Flax, the program is funded entirely by the people of Brunswick County.
“It (Project Lifesaver) is completely funded by donations,” Flax said. “Our primary donations come from the Pilot Club of South Brunswick Island. Between them and other donations that we get from the community, it is 100 percent funded.”
“Project Lifesaver is a tremendous asset to the citizen’s of Brunswick County, the Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to finding missing loved ones by using all resources available,” Sheriff John Ingram said. “I am very proud of the dedication not only of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office, but the members of the Pilot Club, who have worked so hard to make this program a continued success.”
For more information on Project Lifesaver, visit the Brunswick County Sheriff’s website at brunswicksheriff.com, or call (910) 253-2777.
