Sheriff’s Office given Project Lifesaver grant

WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. » The Madison County Sheriff’s Office ( MCSO) recently announced that they have been awarded the Spring 2019 Project Lifesaver grant funded by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Madison County is one of three New York Sheriff’s Offices awarded the grant.

According to a news release, Project Lifesaver is a program offered by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office since 2009 and is dedicated to reuniting families with their loved ones who have wandered. Officials said clients include the elderly as well as children with Autism, Down Syndrome, and people with Traumatic Brain Injuries, and developmental delays.

The grant of $2,500 will allow the Sheriff’s Office to update their supplies and equipment. In total the Madison County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded $5,000 from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, county officials said.

“Thank you to the Alzheimer Foundation of America for this grant, this will help the Madison

County Sheriff’s Office assist more people and families,” Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood said in a news release. “People who wander are usually found within a mile of their home. Project Lifesaver allows our team an extra boost to help find someone who may wander off. It gives a family a newly found peace of mind and an extra layer of protection for their loved one.”

Project Lifesaver emphasizes relationships between specially trained Sheriff’s personnel and the people who may wander before the need may arise for a rescue. A specially trained Sheriff’s Deputy will conduct a home visit and fit the client with a battery- operated transmitter that is worn on the wrist or ankle, according to the Madison County

Sheriff’s Office. A tracking signal is emitted from the transmitter every second, 24 hours a day. This signal can be tracked by specially trained personnel on the ground and in the air. Family members and caregivers are also given a thorough overview of the program.

To find out more information about Project Lifesaver in Madison County visit https:// www.madisoncounty.ny.gov/ 1498/ Project-Lifesaver.