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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TRAINING BULLETIN Effective Date: May 11, 2024  Amends TB 19 -1 (June 5, 2019 ) Number: 19-1 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: April Reviewing Authority: SSD / Criminal Investigations Division Subject: Project Lifesaver This Training Bulletin establishes guidelines for the program known as Project Lifesaver and coordination of the administrative and operational components of the program. The primary objective of Project Lifesaver is to be use d as an aid in locating clients who have been reported missing and have a cognitive impairment to include Dementia/Alzheimer's, Autism or other diagnosed medical condition that may cause a person to wander. 1. Policy The Project Lifesaver bracelet is an additional resource to provide assistance in locating those individuals who have confirmed diagnoses of a cognitive impairment to include Dementia/Alzheimer's or Autism, who go missing . 2. Definitions A. Bracelet - a transmitter device assigned to the client . The bracelet sends a continuous electronic signal through a very high frequency (VHF). B. Caregiver - a person who is responsible for the care of the client such as a parent, spouse or other family member, legal guardian, or through contracted employment f or the provision of care. C. Client - an individual who is a program member and has a medical diagnosis of Dementia/Alzheimer’s, Autism or other cognitive impairment and is considered "At Risk". D. Client Number - an exclusive Radio Frequency number assigned t o the bracelet at time of enrollment with Project Lifesaver International. E. Client Profile - documents completed by the caregiver that contain vital information about the client enrolled in Project Lifesaver International. This profile will be useful durin g search and recov ery. F. Project Lifesaver Operator - agency member trained as an electronic search specialist in the use of the Project Lifesaver International search equipment. 3. Procedures A. Program Administrator - the Missing Persons Sergeant shall serve as the Program Administrator. The Administrator shall maintain all computer input received from Project Lifesaver International on enrolled clients. The Administrator shall coordinate training for equipment operators. 19-1, Page 2 of 3 B. Program Coordinator - the Senio r Program Crime Prevention Specialist shall serve as the Program Coordinator. The coordinator shall liaison with Project Lifesaver International, caregivers, clients and agencies serving clients. C. Fee - The bracelet is purchased through Project Lifesaver I nternational. The Orange County Sheriff's Office will not sell or lease bracelets. The caregiver is obligated to contact Project Lifesaver International directly to obtain the bracelet. D. Enrollment - The Program Coordinator shall set up an interview with t he potential client to determine if he/she fits the guidelines set forth by Project Lifesaver International. Project Lifesaver International will be immediately notified of the findings. Project Lifesaver International will make the decision as to who qual ifies for enrollment in the program. 1. The Program Coordinator shall receive the approved client enrollment information directly from Project Lifesaver International, once the client has been issued a Project Lifesaver bracelet. 2. Project Lifesaver International assigns a bracelet with an individualized radio frequency number. 3. The client's personal information to include identification, physical description, and medical conditions/ diagnosis, will be entered by Project Lifesaver International and accessible to agency members trained in the search function. E. Equipment 1. A personal locator system - a radio frequency based tracking system with attached Yagi antenna. 2. Project Lifesaver International Database F. Training 1. Required 16-hour training includes: a. The use of Project Lifesaver equipment. b. Implementation of the strategic methods specifically designed for Project Lifesaver International. c. Provide a basic understanding of cognitive conditions and how to use the Project Lifesaver International database. d. Completion of training is required for certification. 2. All operators shall be required to be recertified every two years. G. Operations 1. Upon no tification to the Sheriff's Office that a Project Lifesaver International client is missing, the Communications Center shall request the client's bracelet frequency number. The 19-1, Page 3 of 3 Communications Center shall obtain the last location and the amount of time whi ch has passed since the client was seen. 2. Patrol deputies shall respond to meet with the reporter to gather information and initiate the search. The missing person will be entered into FCIC/NCIC as required by policy. 3. The on call Missing Persons supervisor shall be notified when a Project Lifesaver International client is reported missing. The on- call supervisor shall make contact with a Sheriff's Office Project Lifesaver operator to respond to the scene. If an on-duty operator is not available, the on call Missing Persons detective shall respond to conduct the search. 4. If the missing person is not located and the search is expanded, additional Project Lifesaver operators shall be requested to assist in the search. During an activation, the Aviation Section should be requested and can utilize a personal locator system as well to assist with large area searches.