Project Lifesaver

Project Lifesaver - Columbia County Sheriff's Office is a Public Safety Program used to assist in locating missing persons suffering from dementia-type disorders that wander.

Alzheimer's / Autism / Down's Syndrome

Our Mission

"Dedicated to bringing your loved ones home"

Columbia County Sheriff's Office has joined forces with Project Lifesaver International to aid in locating persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and Autism.

Project Lifesaver- Columbia County Sheriff's Office deploys specially trained teams with proven technology available to quickly locate and return wandering adults and children to their families and caregivers. Project Lifesaver International's primary mission benefits local law enforcement agencies to help save money and time for taxpayers.

Protecting Entire Communities

Those at risk of wandering, bolting, and/or running wear a one-ounce transmitter on the wrist or ankle that emits a constant pulsating radio tracking signal 24/7. When caregivers discover their loved one missing, they call the Sheriff's Office and trained Project Lifesaver personnel respond with a special tracking unit that has proved useful in locating missing persons. Hundreds of communities across the U.S. have now adopted Project Lifesaver to locate those residents who might wander away from familiar surroundings. Those folks may have Alzheimer's Disease, Autism, Down's Syndrome, Soto Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, or other conditions that cause wandering, bolting, and/or running.

Project Lifesaver Facts

A Non-Profit Organization founded by police to serve police in the electronic location of wanderers
Available in over 400 police departments in 42 states
Endorsed by the National Sheriff's Association
Over 1,322 wanderers have been found to date
Average Location Time: 22 minutes (19 minutes after arriving on the scene. Location time prior to Project Lifesaver was over 8 hours.)
The average number of trained officers used in Project Lifesaver searches: 2
Without equipment, searches may require off-duty officers, volunteers, helicopters, heat-seeking scopes and dogs or other equipment
Unit locates day or night, inside or outside, rain or shine
Local emergency teams respond to calls resulting in an average rescue time of less than 30-minutes
Staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with volunteers
Establishes an adjustable invisible boundary in a circle around unit
Transmitter has a 5-year warranty
Portable unit can be taken anywhere you go

"Lifesaver has given me an extensive sense of security. It is the first time in years that I can move from one room to another with any comfort. And I have the comfort of immediate help if I need." - Shirley Cassida, Wife and caregiver, Virginia Beach, VA

Protecting the wandering and bringing peace of mind to families, caregivers, and communities.

The reliable rapid response partnership with law enforcement aiding victims and families suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, Down's Syndrome and Autism.

Project Lifesaver More Information Request:

Continued funding of Project Lifesaver - Columbia County Sheriff's Office is made possible through private and corporate donations and grants. All donations are used strictly for equipment, educational expenses and rescues.