Nearly three years ago, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office initiated Project Lifesaver in the Northern Virginia region. Project Lifesaver is a program that assists families and caregivers of individuals with Autism, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s and related diseases and disabilities. The program has a fantastic track record of locating and returning wandering adults and children to their home. The Sheriff's Office found its first wandering client in under eight minutes!

The program relies on proven technology and a specially trained search and rescue team. Lifesaver clients wear a wristband that emits a silent tracking signal. When caregivers notify the Sheriff’s Office that a loved one is missing, a search and rescue team responds to the area and starts searching with state-of-the-art tracking equipment. Using this technology, search times have been reduced from hours and days to minutes. In over 1,450 searches nationwide, there have been no reported serious injuries or deaths, and recoveries average less than 30 minutes. The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office currently has 145 deputies trained to search and rescue, with many more eagerly awaiting the training.

Sheriff Stan Barry states, “The true value of this program is in the reassurance it gives families.” The peace of mind and sense of security provided for these families cannot be measured in dollars, and is just another example of the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office making a positive impact in the lives of the residents of Fairfax County.

Project Lifesaver has signed on about 50 clients since the program came online in late 2004. The Sheriff anticipates many more clients as public awareness of the program grows.

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