By Jessica Lapen | Program Director
Autism Pensacola's Project Lifesaver program meets a critical need in our community. Those with autism are at a higher risk of wandering or eloping from safe settings. In partnership with Escambia Search and Rescue we offer Project Lifesaver to promote safe neighborhoods for individuals with developmental disabilities. Project Lifesaver is a safety resource program that features bracelets which emit a radio signal which search and rescue personnel can use to track and locate an individual who is missing.
Project Lifesaver International states:
“Most, who wander and wear a bracelet, are found within a few miles from home, and search times have been reduced from hour and days to minutes. Recovery time for clients average 30 minutes – 95% less time than standard operations. Over 3,000 wanderers in the U.S. have been found in 30 minutes of less within the past year.”
What a great savings this is for local law enforcement and first responders. The time saved by wearing this bracelet saves thousands of search hours meaning a huge savings in taxpayer’s money.
Here is one local parent's story of the impact this program makes on their family:
"Project 'Emiley Saver' has been Amazing for us. She has a tendency to wander and lose herself in watching others run and play and she doesn't realize that she's away from her limited area. Emiley wakes up and may try to open the doors to go outside to see her cat or her lil piggy and if the alarms are set to a few second delay then she's out and gone quick.
Were very grateful for Project Lifesaver because it gives us a source of security. We keep all doors and windows locked but as any child she has figured out how to open windows and doors and wander.
Thank You for helping save our baby from wandering and keeping her safe."
-- Patricia
It's stories like this one, and the proven track record of Project Lifesaver's product, that make us so impassioned to continue working toward getting this device in the hands of more families. Please help us increase our reach into the community and provide a safety net for families with a loved one who wanders.
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