In October 2019, the PCSO partnered with Project Lifesaver International, a community based, public safety, non-profit organization that provides a program to locate individuals who are prone to the life threatening behavior of wandering. Individuals with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s / Dementia, Autism, and other special needs groups could benefit from this service.

PCSO Sheriff Donnie Craig says, “[The service] will be furnished to qualified citizens of Pickens County at no cost to the citizen.”

Sgt. Jody Weaver will serve as the Project Lifesaver Program Coordinator for the PCSO, and he describes this program as a “game changer” in search and rescue efforts.

“When residents with cognitive disorders or other health conditions wander away from the safety of their home, time is of the essence in locating them. Statistics show that 50 percent of at-risk individuals who are not located within 24 hours will die. The remainder are often very sick or injured. Approximately 36,000 Alzheimer’s patients wander or become lost each year. Individuals affected by Autism also have an increased tendency to wander or become lost, therefore, it is essential that our agency be as prepared as we can to serve this sector of the population in our community,” explained Weaver.

Sheriff Craig pointed out,“What better gift could our office offer to a citizen in our community who is caring for a loved one with Dementia or Autism than by giving them the gift of peace of mind in knowing that our office is here to help?”

After meetings between Sheriff’s Office command staff and hospital executives, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital has graciously announced its intent to partner with the Sheriff’s Office to roll out this exciting program to the community.

“Piedmont Mountainside Hospital is excited to partner with the PCSO on Project Lifesaver,” said Denise Ray, CEO of Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. “This program offers a way we can work with local law enforcement to make the community safer for everyone, and it has the potential to save lives. It fits well with the Piedmont promise of making a positive difference in every life we touch.”

The Project Lifesaver search and rescue method relies on proven radio technology and specifically trained search and rescue teams. Citizens who voluntarily enroll in the Project Lifesaver program wear a small transmitter on the wrist or ankle that emits an individualized frequency signal. If an enrolled client goes missing, the caregiver notifies 911 and/or their local project lifesaver agency, and a trained emergency team responds to the wanderer’s area. The first responders will then use the client’s individualized frequency to locate the position of the individual.

Currently, 11 law enforcement personnel with PCSO have completed the Project Lifesaver search and rescue training, and attained the Electronic Search Specialists (ESS) certification. Additionally, multiple members of the agency have received additional certification as Instructors, which allows the Sheriff’s Office to train and certify additional employees, as well as members of other public safety agencies within the county, as Electronic Search Specialists (ESS).

The PCSO Auxiliary unit, a 501(c)3, non-profit organization that assists the Sheriff’s Office and community, helped with the initial start-up costs of the program. Sheriff Craig is hoping to partner with local businesses and other non-profits in funding this program for citizens who may qualify to participate in Project Lifesaver. The program, which would be completely voluntary, would be maintained by the Sheriff’s Office. Caregiver’s would be able to meet with a representative of the Sheriff’s Office to determine if their loved one would qualify for the program. Clients would then be visited by a member of the Sheriff’s Office every sixty (60) days to change the batteries and service the wrist or ankle transmitter, again at no cost to the participant or caregiver.

The Sheriff’s Office is the most recent agency in the State to partner with Project Lifesaver. Surrounding counties including Cherokee, Forsyth, and Gordon are currently participating in the program as well. To date, more than 3,600 individuals have been successfully located using the Project Lifesaver search and rescue program nationwide.

For more information on the Project Lifesaver program, please feel free to contact the PCSO by emailing the Project Lifesaver Team at [email protected], or by calling the office at 706-253-8900.