Project Lifesaver: Personal Safety Tracking System

Since 2006, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office has been partnering with the Warren County Office of the Aging to promote Project Lifesaver: established in April of 1999, Project Lifesaver was an initiative of the 43th Virginia Search & Rescue Company from the Chesapeake Virginia Sheriff’s Office. This program was pioneered to use specialized equipment and procedures to locate people who are affected by a cognitive impairment and “wander”.

This program was started due to the increase in people affected by Alzheimer’s disease, Down Syndrome, Autism spectrum disorder, Dementia, and other cognitive impairments. Project Lifesaver has become one of the leading organizations addressing the need to protect the people affected by these impairments, and bring comfort to their families and caregivers. Since the program has been in place, search and rescue times have been reduced from hours to minutes! Project Lifesaver reduces the time, funds, and manpower needed for search and rescue missions involving special-needs individuals.

Warren County residents (ages 5 and older) who have a history of wandering or potential to wander due to cognitive impairment are eligible for this program. The Project Lifesaver’s mission is to use radio technology to locate a person affected by cognitive impairment. A person who is lost due these types of impairments represents a critical emergency – these persons are often unaware of the danger of the situation, and therefore are unlikely to call for help, and also may not respond to people calling out to them. 

Project Lifesaver utilizes a bracelet that emits a unique radio signal, allowing officers to locate the wearer in the event that they wander and become lost. This bracelet can give much needed comfort and peace of mind to caregivers, and help keep vulnerable members of the community safe. 

To apply for Project Lifesaver, please call Warren County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Officer Cortney Howse at: (518) 743-2593