Article Contributed on: 7/16/2007 10:01:06 AM
The Wheat Ridge Police Department and The LMC Community Foundation have partnered to bring the Project Lifesaver program to the city of Wheat Ridge.
Project Lifesaver is a program designed to assist residents who have medical conditions that may cause them to wander. The project is a rapid-response partnership between law enforcement and the families of those suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders and conditions such as Down Syndrome and autism.
The program offers:
-A "tried and true" radio technology that provides tracking through a wristband worn by the participant.
-Rescue teams from the Wheat Ridge Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff's office.
-Reduced search times from hours and days, to minutes.
-A proven lifesaving system that is reliable, responsive, practical and affordable.
The LMC Community Foundation awarded the Wheat Ridge Police Department $8,500 to purchase two emergency locators,10 transmitter kits and 36 batteries to initiate the program in Wheat Ridge. Without the Foundation's generous contribution, the city of Wheat Ridge would not be able to participate in the program.
The Wheat Ridge Police currently has five instructors and10 employees and volunteers trained and available to help facilitate the program to Wheat Ridge participants residing in Wheat Ridge.
"Project Lifesaver is one of the most important new programs in law enforcement," says program supervisor Sgt.
Paula Balafas, of the city of Wheat Ridge Police Department. "This program allows us to rapidly respond when a participant wanders. Plus, Lifesaver provides caregivers peace of mind knowing that loved ones who wonder have the ability to be quickly found."
To enroll your loved one in Project Lifesaver, please call the Wheat Ridge Police Department at 303-237-2220. More information about Project Lifesaver
can be found on their Web site,
www.projectlifesaver.org.
Lisa Stigall is a public information officer for the Wheat Ridge Police Department.