Preventing Wandering Tragedies: How Project Lifesaver Protects Hendricks County Families

 PLAINFIELD, IN — Last week, our community suffered a devastating loss when a missing 6-year-old child was found in a nearby pond.

As we all continue to grieve alongside the family, it’s a heavy reminder of just how fast a child or a loved one with special needs can wander off and end up in a dangerous situation.

While vigilance is our first line of defense, specialized technology exists to provide an extra layer of security when seconds matter most. One program designed to help prevent these tragedies is Project Lifesaver.

Project Lifesaver partners with local public safety agencies to quickly locate individuals who are prone to wandering due to autism, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, or other cognitive conditions.

The program relies on reliable radio-frequency technology. Participants wear a small, lightweight transmitter bracelet on their wrist or ankle that emits a unique tracking signal 24 hours a day. If they go missing, emergency dispatch is notified, and specially trained local first responders deploy with directional receivers calibrated to pick up that specific frequency. This targeted search bypasses the guesswork, frequently reducing search times from hours down to just minutes.

Project Lifesaver is actively available right here in Hendricks County. If someone in your family is at risk of wandering, it is highly recommended to look into the program.

For more information, registration inquiries, or to see how to enroll a loved one, contact local coordinator Chris Schafer at (317) 499-4346 or via email at chris.schafer@pccert.org.