The Clallam County Sheriff's Office is bringing the Project Lifesaver program to its service area. Designed to track and rescue individuals with cognitive conditions who tend to wander, the service answers a critical need for protecting people at risk for wandering, including those with Alzheimer's disease, autism, Down syndrome and dementia.

Project Lifesaver Inter-national, the leading

organization in electronic search and rescue programs, will conduct mandatory training and provide certification, ongoing management and support to the Clallam County Sheriff's Office. The training includes teaching public safety officials how to use the equipment and how to gain the trust of and communicate with people who wander, as well as to ensure that caregivers are well-versed in the program. All are essential to a successful rescue.



Wrist transmitter

Clients enrolled in the service will wear a wrist-watch-sized radio transmitter on their wrist or ankle. The transmitter constantly emits a radio frequency signal, which can be tracked regardless of where the person has wandered.

When someone goes missing, caregivers notify the appropriate locally trained law enforcement agency and they are dispatched to the area. The average rescue time is approximately a half hour.

"I am delighted that we can participate in this valuable program with our partners at the Sequim Police Department and look forward to expanding our partnership with all law enforcement agencies on the Olympic Peninsula. It is important that we continue outreach efforts to our elderly and vulnerable citizens," said Sheriff Bill Benedict.

Project Lifesaver also develops public outreach educational programs and works toward developing public policy and effective law enforcement response to help save lives and "bring loved ones home."



Free service

Families and caregivers can enroll by contacting Lorraine Shore, community policing services coordinator, at 417-2376.

This is a free service for Clallam County residents thanks to the generous yearly contributions from the Ray and Donna Guerin Foundation.

Since 2006, the Guerin Family Foundation has donated significant funds to the city of Sequim Project Lifesaver Program, administered by the Sequim Police Department. These contributions resulted not only in the creation of the program but its maintenance and expansion to include the Clallam County Sheriff's Office.

For more information, contact Project Lifesaver at 877-580-LIFE (5433) or visit www.projectlifesaver.org.