Finding Wanders Quickly -- Middletown FD finds hiding Newport boy

Middletown Fire Dept demonstrated the SafetyNet tracker bracelet system on Sunday October 20th by rapidly finding a hidden Newport boy at Glen Park in Portsmouth.  

Aided by MFD, citizen and scout leader Rob White used MFD's  tracker equipment to find the well-hidden 10 year old Cub Scout from Middletown's Pack 77 in about five minutes. MFD fire fighters then let the 10 year old scout track down another radio tracker bracelet well-hidden up a distant tree.

It was pretty clear that this tracker technology could save hundreds of labor hours trying to find a wandering person before they fall into the water or die from exposure.

Newport's city council recently passed a resolution asking city staff to look at this tracking option.  An estimated 24,000 Rhode Islanders fit into the wandering category.   The tracker equipment and training is provided at no cost to the city. The tracking bracelet has a nominal monthly charge.

Portsmouth FD is also trained in the use of this equipment.  This demo was arranged by the Newport County Radio Club who hosted local Boy Scouts this last weekend at an annual  Jamboree on the Air training event at Glen Park.