Project Lifesaver of Clark County

What is Project Lifesaver?

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce its involvement in the nationwide Project Lifesaver Program. The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children who wander. Project Lifesaver of Clark County will be offered free of charge residents of Clark County who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, autism, or other cognitive conditions that make them likely to wander away from caregivers.

Without effective procedures and equipment, searches can involve multiple agencies, hundreds of officers, countless man hours and thousands of dollars. More importantly, because time is of the essence, every minute lost increases the risk of a tragic outcome.

Project lifesaver should be considered a tool to assist in taking care of your loved one not a solution to taking care of them. When traveling, you can check the Project Lifesaver website to look for a member agency and contact information of your travel destination.

___________________________________________________________________________

How Does the Program Work?

Those who meet the eligibility requirements, are fitted with a device (bracelet) on their wrist or ankle that emits an individualized frequency signal, which can be tracked regardless of where the person has wandered – even in a wooded area, marsh, concreted building or a building constructed with steel. If an enrolled client goes missing, the caregiver will notify the Sheriff’s Office. Trained Sheriff’s Deputies that have been certified by Project Lifesaver International will use specialized equipment which tracks the individualized frequency signal to locate the individual. Recovery times for Project Lifesaver agencies average 30 minutes-which is 95% less than standard operations without the program. ___________________________________________________________________________

Who can Enroll in the Program and What is the Cost?

Project Lifesaver is a free voluntary program. However, the bracelets will be issued to those residents who meet the eligibility requirements. Clients must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Clients must live in Clark County, Ohio.
• Be medically diagnosed with Autism, Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other related cognitive impairments.
• Have a history of wandering.
• Have a 24-hour caregiver.
• Agree to wear the wristband transmitter at all times.

In order to participate, caregivers must agree to assume the following responsibilities:

• Test the client’s radio transmitter battery daily.
• Check the condition of the bracelet daily.
• Notify the Clark County Sheriff’s Office promptly if there are any problems with the equipment.
• Most important, immediately call 911 if a Project Lifesaver client goes missing.

**To protect the investment and ensure that the equipment functions correctly, every 30 days Project Lifesaver Team members check the transmitter and the client battery/ transmitter tester. They review the caregivers daily Project Lifesaver paperwork for accuracy, update the client information, and answer any questions the caregiver may have at that time.

___________________________________________________________________________

How Do I Enroll and What Happens after Applying?

To sign a loved one up for Project Lifesaver, please click HERE to access the form. 

After you have completed the form, save a copy and email it to: 

Or you can mail your completed form to: 

Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Wendy Holt
120 North Fountain Avenue
Springfield, Ohio 45502

Once your application is received and reviewed, you will be contacted regarding the status of your application. If approved for enrollment, you will be provided with a Contract and Release Form which explains the requirements for enrollment in detail. Once the Contract and Release Form is signed, a Deputy from the Sheriff’s Office Project Lifesaver Team will meet with the family to assign a band / transmitter and instructions.

How Do I Support Project Lifesaver?

If you would like to provide financial support for equipment or the maintenance costs, please send your tax-deductible donation made payable to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office c/o Project Lifesaver and mail to: Clark County Sheriff’s Office

Attn: Wendy Holt
120 North Fountain Avenue
Springfield, Ohio 45502

Please make sure that a check or money order is the form of donation- cash donations will not be accepted. Funds donated enable us to purchase transmitters, replacement batteries and other necessary equipment used to operate Project Lifesaver.

Project Lifesaver Team / Trainers

(Pictured Left to Right) Deputy Bill Crump, Deputy Jessica Waldvogel, Sgt. Ralph Underwood, Deputy Holly Risner, Deputy Mark Lane, Deputy Jolene Irons, Deputy Robert Durham, Sergeant Ronnie Lemen, and Gary Reynolds, Ph.D. from Project Lifesaver International.

Questions?

 This program was funded with the help of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA).
 For More Information Contact: