Project Lifesaver
The St. Helena Police Department now offers a service for residents who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's Disease, autism, or other conditions that make them likely to wander away from caregivers, or to have difficulty communicating with rescuers. Project Lifesaver bracelets can help rescuers find a loved one who has wandered away.
To participate in the St. Helena Police Department's Project Lifesaver program, the prospective client must:
- Live within the city limits of St. Helena
- Be diagnosed by a certified physician as having Alzheimer's Disease, other dementia disorders, autism, Down's Syndrome, or similar disorders
- Be known to wander away from caretakers
St. Helena Police Department's Project Lifesaver technicians will give participants a plastic bracelet containing a water proof radio transmitter. Each participant's transmitter is assigned a radio frequency that is unique both to them and to their geographical area of St. Helena. The bracelets may be worn on the client's wrist or ankle.
If a Project Lifesaver client goes missing, their caregiver should use 911 to call the St. Helena Police Department immediately. Trained St. Helena Police Officers will respond at once and search for the missing person using Project Lifesaver radio-frequency tracking equipment.
Project Lifesaver is a voluntary program. In order to participate, caretakers must agree to assume the following responsibilities:
- Test the client's radio transmitter battery daily
- Check the condition of the bracelet daily
- Maintain a monthly log sheet provided by the Project Lifesaver team
- Notify the St. Helena Police Department promptly if there are any problems with the equipment
- Most important, call 911 immediately if a Project Lifesaver client goes missing
For more information on Project Lifesaver or to ascertain if your loved one qualifies for this program, please contact Sgt. Imboden at 707.967.2850.
