The Daviess County Fire Department conducted training exercises this week for Project Lifesaver, an international search and rescue program designed to protect individuals with cognitive conditions prone to wandering, such as Alzheimer’s disease and autism.
Participants in Project Lifesaver wear a small transmitter on their wrist or ankle that emits a unique frequency signal. If a participant goes missing, their caregiver notifies the fire department, which can then locate the individual and return them safely.
Fire Inspector and Investigator Keith Hurm said the DCFD currently has three clients enrolled in the program – two individuals with autism and one person with early-onset dementia, all residing in Owensboro.
“It’s a service we offer, and if folks feel like it’s something they need, they just need to reach out to us at the Daviess County Fire Department,” Hurm said.
There is a quarterly fee of $45 associated with the program, and Daviess County is the only agency in the area providing this service. Hurm noted that funding also comes from Daviess County Fiscal Court, which recently made the program a line item in the fire department’s budget.
Though the program has been in place since 2007, Hurm said they have not yet had to use it for an actual emergency.
“We’ve had several clients over the years, and we’ve been fortunate not to have anyone wander off since I’ve been an inspector,” he said. “We’ve even had clients come off the program, like children with autism who’ve grown and no longer have issues with wandering.”
One of the training exercises this week simulated a scenario in which a dementia patient went missing while walking near a local park. The team located the individual at Owensboro Christian Church within 46 minutes. The exercise involved multiple units using clues about the individual’s habits and last known locations to narrow down the search area.
The tracking devices emit radio signals that can be picked up within a range of up to 5 miles, though Hurm noted that the department typically has better luck within 2 miles.
“The higher the signal, the better, but buildings and other obstacles can block the signal,” he said.
In real-life situations, the department would coordinate with mutual aid partners, including the Sheriff’s Office, emergency management agencies, and the Owensboro Police and Fire Departments. Drones are also used to assist in searches.
For more information about Project Lifesaver, visit projectlifesaver.org.
