Oak Forest Gets New Tracking and Rescue System to Find Loved Ones Who've Gotten Lost

In situations where loved ones with cognitive disabilities wander, timing is critical. Searches on foot, by air and car can be futile without some sense of direction.

Enter, Project Lifesaver.

The electronic search-and-rescue program operates with the use of a radio transmitter worn by the loved one, which emits a radio frequency picked up by antennae. The signal can be tracked wherever the person might wander, including woods or forest preserves, marshes, or concrete and steel structures.

"With this, you're going to go out there and find them pretty quick," said Detective Tom Liesen, Elder Service Officer with Quincy Police.

Liesen provided training for Oak Forest police and firefighters, which helped public safety officials learn the equipment and equipped them with information to ensure that caregivers are well-versed in the program. The program specifically mentions people suffering from Alzheimer's, Down Syndrome, or autism.

"To me, it's a great program, because any of the agencies we train can help each other out," Liesen said.

The Oak Forest Social Services Corporation donated $5,000 to the startup of the program. The funds purchased two hand-held antennae and two mobile units. The handheld antennae can be used on foot, in cars, or in air. The handheld unit begins picking up a signal within a quarter-mile of the transmitter; in the air, the range increases to 5–6 miles.

The program relies on family members to relay an approximate last-known location, description of the loved one, and possible direction of travel. The average person walks four miles per hour. Based on the approximate starting point, police are able to set up a perimeter and search within it, based on the signal emitted from the transmitter, and the audible response from the antennae.

Oak Forest Police Detective Eric Wynn most readily recalled the recent disappearance of an area woman, who was found hours later, outside in sub-zero temperatures. In instances where someone goes missing, police are taken off of what they're currently doing, to participate in the search, Wynn said. Numerous resources and "hundreds of dollars" are poured into individual seaches, some of which are misguided or unsuccessful. Project Lifesaver alleviates that concern.

"No matter what time, day or night, we'll have officers available," Wynn said. "With everyone working together, we can get loved ones home."

The program is currently used by 1,400 law enforcement officers in 45 states — or 2,300 searches nationwide. The success rate is 100 percent, with no fatalities. The average rescue time is 30 minutes.

"We hope no one goes missing, but if they do, we'll be ready for it."

The transmitters cost caregivers or family members $300, plus $50 for replacement batteries. Caregivers who cannot afford the service are encouraged to contact Det. Wynn at (708)687-4050.

"It's hard enough on family members and caregivers to watch their family members 24 hours a day," Wynn said. "When they [family members with condition] are not congizant, this helps us locate them, get them home safely.

"Time is very critical."

Don't miss the video, where Patch tries out the transmitter. With a five-minute head start, Patch Editor Lauren Traut headed out with Investigator Rich Belcher. See how long it took for officers to find us.