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Community Programs
Project Lifesaver provides peace of mind...
Caregivers responsible for the safety of loved ones with Alzheimer's, dementia, autism or other disorders, often live in fear that they will wander off and become lost. Project Lifesaver has eased that fear for many Baldwin and Mobile County residents. The program is designed to track participants who are traveling on foot; however, it also has proved to be an asset when other scenarios arise. Project Lifesaver maintains individual profiles that include vital statistics on its enrolled participants that are readily available if they wander and become lost.
Project Lifesaver is the nation's most effective program for locating and rescuing individuals that wander and are missing. In 1999, the Chesapeake, Va., Sheriff's Office and the 43rd Virginia Search and Rescue Company began Project Lifesaver, which now operates in 35 states and Canada. Baldwin County is Alabama's fifth county to participate in this program.
The Project Lifesaver Teams
| Mercy Medical, a nonprofit healthcare organization, and three law enforcement agencies formed an alliance to create Project Lifesaver of Baldwin County in 2004. The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office leads the law enforcement team that includes the Daphne and Fairhope police departments.
Mercy Medical and the Mobile County Sheriff's Office formed an alliance to create Project Lifesaver of Mobile County in 2005. The Mobile County District Attorney's Office worked closely with Mercy Medical and the Sheriff's Office on implementing the program. |
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The law enforcement agencies are responsible for search and rescue. They also share with Mercy Medical the responsibilities of training and educating law enforcement officers and volunteers and monitoring and maintaining the equipment.
Mercy Medical also provides the day-to-day administration functions, which includes enrolling participants, managing and raising funds, and providing public relations.
Other law enforcement agencies and healthcare organizations readily lend assistance when there is a need.
How the program works
Project Lifesaver relies on advanced technology and a highly trained rapid response team of law enforcement agencies. Participants wear wristband transmitters that emit signals picked up by special receivers with directional antennas.
Caregivers check the wristband daily to make sure the transmitter signal is strong and the wristband is secure. The transmitter's battery requires a monthly change, which is conducted by law enforcement officers, healthcare organizations and Mercy Medical staff.
In the event a participant wanders off and law enforcement is notified, the search-and-rescue team is deployed utilizing Project Lifesaver's specialized equipment.
How to enroll
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The questionnaire and profile sheet require physical descriptions, medical history and personality characteristics of the participant. Should a search become necessary, this information is easily accessed by law enforcement.
Participants' families, that have the means, pay $10 per month to cover the cost of the battery and wristband replacements. Participants do not pay for their home transmitters or base units. No one is denied enrollment due to lack of ability to pay, although there is a qualification process.
The cost of Project Lifesaver
A typical search and rescue can cost the government hundreds of thousands of dollars and frequently has a tragic ending. Project Lifesaver can drastically reduce that cost and increase the chances for a much more successful result. However, Project Lifesaver requires specially designed equipment that employs advanced technology. The cost of search-and-rescue equipment utilized by Project Lifesaver ranges from $200 to $10,000.
Residents enrolled in Project Lifesaver do not bear the burden of this expense. The cost of the equipment for one participant is $275, which participants' families are not required to pay. That cost is in addition to the $120 per year for monthly battery and wristband changes.
Administrative costs are absorbed by the Project Lifesaver affiliates.
How to help
Project Lifesaver relies on the generosity of individuals, corporations and community organizations for financial support. Please consider making a donation to help support this much-needed community service. Donations may be directed to either the Baldwin County or the Mobile County program.
Donations may be made by check payable to "Mercy Medical."
Why caregivers should consider Project Lifesaver
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Yes, I will help Project Lifesaver.
Click here to contribute to Project Lifesaver.
Partially funded by the Mercy Mission Fund of the Baltimore Sisters of Mercy
and Mobile Infirmary Medical Center.