Project Lifesaver, a program combines radio technology with a coordinated police response to locate wandering and disoriented loved ones with Alzheimer’s, autism or other conditions is underway.

President of BAYSAR Air Search and Rescue Stan French says a caregiver registers a family member or client with the vulnerable person registry.

He says a small transmitter is then put on the person and when someone goes missing using technology the search begins.

“We have two receivers that are based with North Bay Police. They would be able to start a search right away. They would punch in the frequency, go to the residence and start the search,” he says.

North Bay Police Scott Tod says when someone’s gone missing time is of the essence and having added information on where the person may be is key.

Tod says BAYSAR Air Search and Rescue deserves a lot of credit in making this happen.

“The expertise and knowledge of BAYSAR and the resources they have and the technology of Project Lifesaver puts us in a very good position to find people who have registered. We can find them very quickly,” he says.

French says they already have nine active clients including One Kids Place and The Alzheimer’s Society.

Several other groups are supporting the initiative including the North Bay and Area Community Foundation, The Rotary Club of North Bay-Nipissing and the North Bay Lions Club.

(photos by station staff)

Filed under: baysar, north-bay-police, project-lifesaver