Shelby County Sheriff Participates In Project Lifesaver

SHELBY COUNTY, AL - Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego announced he will participate in Project Lifesaver, an organization established in 1999 with a mission to use state of the art technology in assisting those who care for victims of Alzheimer’s disease and other related mental dysfunction disorders. These victims include the elderly and even the youngest in the community who are afflicted with Down’s Syndrome and autism.

Because victims of ARMD tend to wander from their homes, Project Lifesaver places personalized wrist bands containing radio transmitters on identified persons with ARMD. These transmitters emit a constant tracking signal. When a caregiver notifies the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office that a participant is missing, specially trained deputies will respond to the wanderer’s area and begin searching. The signal emitted by the wrist band can be tracked on the ground or by aircraft over several miles with a specially designed radio receiver.

Just as the county's previous Sheriff, Chris Curry did, Samaniego has chosen to cover all costs for this program so that any Shelby County resident needing this service can freely and voluntarily participate. Anyone wishing to learn more about the program or how to participate, can call the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 205-669-4181 and ask to speak with the Project Lifesaver coordinator.

Photo courtesy of John Samaniego