A Project Lifesaver Success Story

On October 16, 2013 at approximately 2:12 p.m., the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing mentally challenged male who was last seen in the West Baraboo area.  As this male is part of the Project Lifesaver Program through the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office, members of the Project Lifesaver Team responded with equipment to assist in locating the missing male.   The male was found a short time later, unharmed, in West Baraboo.

Project Lifesaver is an amazing program offered to Sauk County residents which assists in tracking and locating persons who have been diagnosed with a condition that may cause them to wonder away from their home.  Citizens enrolled in Project Lifesaver wear a small personal transmitter around their ankle or wrist that emits an individualized tracking signal.  Once notified of a missing person who is part of Project Lifesaver, trained members of the Project Lifesaver Team use a tracking device to pick up the tracking signal and assist in locating the missing person.   Most individuals who wander are found within a few miles from home and the average recovery time is 30 minutes.  This is 95% less time than using standard search measures. 

There are costs associated with making this wonderful program available.  There is no cost to families who participate as long as Project Lifesaver funds are available.  These funds come primarily from contributions from local businesses and individual community partners.   Donations may be sent on behalf of Project Lifesaver to:  Greater Sauk County Community Foundation, PO Box 544, Baraboo, WI 53913.  Donations to Project Lifesaver are tax deductible.

Information on who is eligible, what family or caregiver responsibilities are and how to enroll is posted on our website:  www.co.sauk.wi.us/sheriffsoffice.

Sheriff Chip Meister