From the Project Lifesaver website:

When children or adults with autism, Down’s Syndrome, Alzheimer’s Disease, or other memory-related illnesses wander from the safety of caregivers, your Sheriff’s Office and its Search and Rescue personnel are called to action.

Now, law enforcement in Washington County has another great tool to help us find and rescue your loved ones more quickly with the Project Lifesaver Program. A search that might have taken days may now be successfully concluded quickly – saving lives and thousands of taxpayer dollars!

Project Lifesaver participants will receive a plastic bracelet containing a waterproof radio transmitter. Each participant’s transmitter is assigned a radio frequency that is unique both to them and to their geographical area. The bracelets may be worn on the participant’s wrist or ankle.

When a Project Lifesaver client is discovered to be missing, a caregiver will report the situation to the Sheriff’s Office via the 9-1-1 dispatch center. Trained deputies will respond at once to search for the missing person using Project Lifesaver radio-frequency tracking equipment.

Project Lifesaver is a voluntary program. In order to qualify, the client must:

  • Live in Washington County;

  • Be diagnosed by a certified physician as having Alzheimer’s Disease, other dementia disorders, autism, Down’s Syndrome or other similar disorders; and

  • Be known to wander away from caregivers.

In order to participate, caregivers must agree to assume the following responsibilities:

  • Test the client’s radio transmitter battery daily

  • Check the condition of the bracelet daily

  • Maintain a monthly log sheet provided by the Project Lifesaver Team

  • Most importantly, call 911 immediately if a Project Lifesaver client goes missing!

Thanks to Angela Bradach for the tip.