Berkeley Township police Captain Rick Casagrand spoke to about a dozen and a half of us last night (Kiwanians, Optimists and Jackson Women of Today) and told us about Project Lifesaver.
The project uses a small transmitter, about the size of a wrist watch, that emits a signal at a unique radio frequency, and a receiver that points in the direction the transmitter is located. People who are prone to wander (such as Alzheimer patients and some people with autism) wear the transmitter 24/7. If they do wander off the police are notified, a search and rescue team responds to the wanderer's area and starts searching with the mobile receiver.
Without the devices many of those who wander off are found too late and die as a result. In the past we have heard local news stories of such tragedies.
With Project Lifesaver the search is reduced to minutes. The savings in lives cannot be estimated. The financial cost of a search typically runs between $1,200 and $1,500 per hour.
The initial receiver costs $5,000. Addition ones cost $2,500. Each transmitter costs $350 and requires about $25/month maintenance.
Rick told us the shortest search his group experienced was two minutes when the person being searched for was in the garage where he lost his balance, fell and rolled under a car. He said the longest search he conducted lasted about 22 minutes. Berkeley PD has used the system since 2001 and conducted about 14 searches.
Project Lifesaver is now used in 42 states by thousands of agencies. Every county in NJ has Project Lifesaver. Berkeley PD is the state coordinator for Project Lifesaver.
An advantage in each township having its own receiver is response time, Rick said. It may take a county officer more than an hour to arrive at the scene because of the large distance he or she might have to cover. If each township had one or two units the response time would be cut to minutes.
The technology of Project Lifesaver is only half the story, Rick said. Partnerships with community groups and bonds between the police and the people who wear the transmitters are formed.
Rick's program genereated a lot of support and rich discussion as some of the leading community service minds in Jackson hashed over a strategy to impliment and fund the program in our township. The Kiwanis club quickly voted to authorize him to purchase a receiver. Vinnie Rubio and Carol Hordichuk will speak to local township council members and administrators to assist with funding.
It seems to be a win-win-win situation for everyone. The township wins because by spending a few dollars now they will save themselves many, many more - as well as improving the safety of its residents. The caregivers of people with the transmitters experience peace of mind, knowing that their charges will be found quicker. And the community service groups will do what they exist for: to help the people in their community.
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