High Ridge firefighters helped search for and find two at-risk people on Sunday, June 25, said Chief John Barton of the High Ridge Fire Protection District.
He said it is rare to get two rescue calls in a single day, but having Project Lifesaver in Jefferson County makes rescues easier.
The program, which began in the county at the High Ridge Fire District, helped first responders find a 4-year-old child with autism and an older man with dementia.
The man, whom Barton said frequently wanders away from his home, was first reported missing in Festus on June 23. He was found by the Hematite Fire Protection District using the Project Lifesaver program’s radio system before High Ridge Fire personnel arrived at the location.
The same man was reported missing at 8:52 a.m. on Sunday and was quickly returned to his caretaking facility. A few hours later, at 12:45 p.m., the 4-year-old boy was reported missing in Festus. Hematite firefighters located the boy before Barton arrived on the scene, he said.
Barton has encouraged county residents with family members who have cognitive disabilities to sign up for the Project Lifesaver program through the Jefferson County Health Department
Project Lifesaver began in 1999 in Chesapeake, Va., to give families and caregivers peace of mind for those who are at risk of wandering. The program identifies at-risk people as those with autism, dementia, Alzheimer’s or other cognitive disabilities.
When people enroll, they are given a small transmitter to wear on their wrist or ankle. The transmitters send out a radio signal unique to each person who wears one.
Barton said once first responders are alerted that someone is lost or wandering, they can dial into the lost person’s frequency.
“For some people, social interaction is difficult,” Barton said. “If they can’t communicate with us about where they’re at, we can use the signal to find them.”
The High Ridge Fire Protection District enrolled in Project Lifesaver in 2014, but Barton said the program was limited to only the High Ridge area at that time.
In 2020, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received a $40,000 grant to expand the program throughout the county.
The High Ridge Fire Protection District collaborates with the Jefferson County Health Department, the Sheriff’s Office and Jefferson County 911 Dispatch to provide the coverage.
According to the Health Department’s website, search times can be reduced from days to just minutes when enrolled in the program.
Those interested in signing up a loved one are encouraged to call the Health Department to enroll at 636-797-3737.