South Whitehall Township, PA

The South Whitehall Township Police Department has partnered with Project Lifesaver to support caregivers of residents with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, Down syndrome, or similar conditions.

What is Project Lifesaver?

Project Lifesaver is a 501(c)(3) community-based, public safety, non-profit organization that provides law enforcement, fire/rescue, and caregivers with a program designed to protect—and when necessary, quickly locate—individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to the life-threatening behavior of wandering. Founded in 1999 in Chesapeake, Virginia, the program was created due to the strong correlation between cognitive conditions and wandering. It has since grown from a local initiative into a globally recognized, proven method of “bringing loved ones home.”

Project Lifesaver was the first to apply such locating techniques to aid in the search and rescue of individuals, and it remains the most widely used and effective program in the nation specifically designed to protect “At Risk” populations. The program integrates state-of-the-art locating technologies, strategic search and rescue methods, and community policing courses that educate first responders about cognitive conditions. Certified agencies report search times reduced from hours or days to just minutes, with recovery times averaging 30 minutes—95% faster than standard operations.

How Does the Project Lifesaver Program Work?

The Project Lifesaver Program is administered locally by public safety agencies. Once an agency commits to the program, Project Lifesaver International provides the necessary technology and training. This includes equipment usage, search techniques, and community policing education to better understand cognitive conditions. The program also includes access to the PLS Database at no cost. Certification is required before an agency can begin accepting clients.

The method relies on radio frequency technology and specially trained search teams. Enrolled individuals wear a wrist or ankle transmitter that emits a unique signal. If the person goes missing, caregivers alert their local Project Lifesaver agency, and a trained team uses the signal to locate them. Community policing training helps ensure the responder approaches and assists the individual appropriately.

Who Is Eligible?

Adults and children who may wander due to Alzheimer’s, autism, or related conditions are eligible. Participants must reside in South Whitehall Township, have a 24-hour caregiver, and be willing to wear the transmitter at all times.

What Is the Cost?

The initial setup fee is $350.00 and the monthly maintenance fee is $10.00. Currently, all fees are waived and the program is being provided at no cost to participants.

How Do We Enroll?

Download and complete the SWTPD Project Lifesaver application. Once reviewed and approved, you’ll be contacted to schedule an installation visit. At that time, the contract will be signed, the bracelet will be installed, and the caregiver will be trained on daily testing procedures.

The Project Lifesaver Program Application can be found here.

Questions?

Contact the Project Lifesaver Coordinator, Officer Haley Marouchoc, at hmm@swtpd.org.