Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) successfully located a missing resident in Central Huron thanks to the deployment of Project Lifesaver equipment following a report from the man's family.
The incident happened just before 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, when Huron County OPP officers were called to respond to a report of a missing person in the Municipality of Central Huron. When they arrived, they spoke to the family, who informed them that the missing man, a 49-year-old with Down's Syndrome, was equipped with a Project Lifesaver transmitter bracelet when last seen. With this information, OPP officers swiftly activated the Project Lifesaver VHF locating equipment and successfully located the missing man within a remarkably short span of 20 minutes.
Project Lifesaver, introduced in Huron County in 2018, harnesses radio frequency technology to aid in the swift and precise location of individuals who may wander or find themselves lost, catering especially to those living with Alzheimer's, Autism, Down's Syndrome, acquired brain injuries, or other cognitive impairments. Registered clients wear a lightweight transmitter akin to a wristwatch that emits a signal every second. In the event of a disappearance, caregivers promptly contact 9-1-1, alerting authorities of their Project Lifesaver registration, triggering an immediate response from emergency crews to initiate a search at the last known location. Each transmitter operates on a unique frequency, ensuring accurate and efficient tracking. This technology has garnered international recognition for its reliability, having facilitated thousands of successful rescues globally.
Those interested in enrolling in Project Lifesaver Huron can reach out to Huron County Community Paramedic Coordinators at 1-866-340-9357 for further information and registration.