About Project Lifesaver

Do you have a family member that you are concerned about ….Do you worry that they may wander off? Did you know that the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office offers the Project Lifesaver program to its service area?

Designed to track and rescue individuals with cognitive conditions who tend to wander, the service answers a critical need for protecting people at risk for wandering, including those with Alzheimer’s, Autism, Down Syndrome and Dementia.

Project Lifesaver International, the leading organization in electronic search and rescue (SAR) programs, will conduct mandatory training and provide certification, ongoing management and support to Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. The training includes teaching public safety officials how to use the equipment and how to gain the trust of and communicate with people who wander, as well as to ensure that caregivers are well versed in the program. All of which are essential to a successful rescue.

Project Lifesaver also develops public outreach programs to educate others about the issue of wandering, and they constantly work toward developing public policy and effective law enforcement response to help save lives and “bring loved ones home.”

Through generous funding, CCSO is able to keep the cost down to a one-time enrollment fee of $50.

The Guerin Family Foundation has donated significant funds to Clallam County Project Lifesaver Program, administered by the Sheriff’s Office. These contributions resulted, not only in the creation of the program, but it’s continued maintenance and expansion costs.

Enrollment

Fill Out an Application:

The application is a lengthy form (approx 16 pages) requiring detailed medical and patient information.

This information is vital when trying to locate a lost participant.

We suggest you have the following information in front of you BEFORE you begin the application process.

This is not a complete list of required data, only general areas covered on the application.

Primary and Secondary Caregiver Information (Name, Contact Information)

Additional Family Members/Caregivers (includes all family members in residence)

Participant Information: (examples)

History of Wandering

At-Risk Behaviors

Communication skills (Reading, Writing, Sign, Hearing Aids)

Health and Physiological Conditions (Overall Health, Medications, Primary Physician, Specialists)

Personality/Habits (Tabacco Use, Alcohol Use, Identifying Marks, Valued Items, Unusual Reactions)

Experiences/Training (Outdoor Classes, Military Experience, Swimming Skills)

Additional Contact Information (Family and Friends)

Any Other Information You Feel is important.

NOTE: Please email questions to lshore@co.clallam.wa.us and include “Project Lifesaver Question” in the subject Line.

Photograph Requirement:

To further assist with locating the Participant if lost, a recent photograph is required. You have two options:

1. Take a photo (digital preferred) and bring it when you drop off your application at the Sheriff’s Office.

OR

2. Schedule a time to bring the Participant to Sheriff’s Office, and we will take the picture for you.

Application Download

Application found at – clallam.net/sheriff/projectlifesaver.html

The Project Lifesaver Application is offered in popular PDF format.

We suggest the following to expedite the process:

Gather all the suggested information suggested above.

Download the Application to your computer in an easy-to-find location.

Open and review the application for any additional questions or facts needed.

Locate any additional information needed.

Print and complete the application.

Contact the Sheriff’s Office to set up an appointment

NOTE: If you type on the application on your computer, print before closing it. When it is closed, all your typed information will be lost.

Project Lifesaver Application Form (PDF 1.5 MB)

Click to Download Adobe Reader (Download Adobe Reader if needed)

Submittal and Process

After the application has been submitted, a Project Lifesaver team member will contact you. If an applicant meets all of the requirements of the program, the client will be scheduled for an appointment to become enrolled in the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Project Lifesaver Program.

If you have any additional questions please contact: Community Policing Service Coordinator

Email (Include “Project Lifesaver Question” in the Subject Line)

Phone: 360-417-2262

FAQ

How frequently should a transmitter battery be changed?

Batteries emit a signal each second and must be changed monthly. Battery changes are scheduled monthly at Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.

Is the transmitter waterproof?

Yes. Clients can shower and swim while wearing the transmitter.

Can a caretaker replace the battery in a client’s transmitter?

No. The battery must be replaced and tested by a member of the Project Lifesaver team.

What happens if something goes wrong with the equipment?

Call the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 360-417-2376 or 360-417-2262.

What happens if the transmitter is lost?

Call the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 360-417-2376.

How Does Project Lifesaver Work?

Clients enrolled in the service will wear a wrist-watch sized radio transmitter on their wrist or ankle. The transmitter constantly emits a radio frequency signal, which can be tracked regardless of where the person has wandered, even into a densely wooded area, a marsh, a concrete structure such as a garage, or a building constructed with steel. When someone goes missing, caregivers notify the appropriate locally trained law enforcement agency and they are dispatched to the area. The average rescue time is approximately a half-hour.

The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for signing up individuals West of Deer Park and have trained 19 Project Lifesaver Certified Search Specialists consisting of both Deputies and Volunteers who are certified to use the Project Lifesaver equipment.

Requirements: Client

Live in Clallam County West of Deer Park.

Be medically diagnosed with a cognitive impairment or related diagnosis.

Be willing to wear a wristband transmitter at all times.

Have a history of wandering.

Have a caregiver providing constant supervision.

Responsibilities: Caregiver

Test the client’s radio transmitter battery and check the condition of the bracelet daily.

Maintain a monthly log sheet provided by the Project Lifesaver Team.

Attend monthly battery change at Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.

Notify Project Lifesaver Team promptly if there is an equipment problem.

Call 911 immediately if a Project Lifesaver client goes missing.