A new county-wide program hosted by Bargersville Community Fire Department will provide assistance to families with members suffering from disorders that cause loved ones to wander away from caregivers.
 
Today is Project Lifesaver Johnson County’s first “official” day of operation.
 
Project Lifesaver will provide small transmitters attached to bracelets worn by the program’s clients. The transmitters emit unique radio signals. If a client wanders away from safety, trained personnel will respond to the area with equipment capable of tracking and locating the transmitter.
 
Indiana State Police are a vital partner with Johnson County and other Project Lifesaver agencies in the state by supplying helicopters to assist personnel in locating missing clients.
 
Several hundred Johnson County children and adults already have been diagnosed with disorders that would qualify them as candidates for Project Lifesaver.
 
BCFD is hosting the county-wide program as a first-step, and support, for other public safety agencies to adopt the program within their own communities.
 
Bargersville Community Fire Department Chief James White said firefighters will respond outside their fire district’s boundaries at the request of other public safety agencies.
 
BCFD Battalion Chief Michael Morris and BCFD Lt. David Porter share Project Lifesaver’s leadership roles in Johnson County.
“A lot of patients are older citizens and susceptible to their environment, including climate and terrain,” said Morris. “Each of these elements poses challenges for the transmitters and client. “
Client’s transmitters will dramatically reduce the amount of time it takes to locate a missing person compared to a  ground search.
“The transmitters send out a signal that is detectable for about a mile,” Morris said. “That could save someone’s life.”

 
Project Lifesaver Johnson County was generously funded by Johnson County Community Foundation, $5,000, Johnson County Autism Support Group, $5,000 and Autism Advocates of Indiana, $3,000.
 
 
More than 500 children with Autism are registered within Johnson County schools, said Lt. Porter.
 
It is unknown how many families have members suffering from Alzheimer and other disorders that would cause a loved one to wander from safety.
 
Beginning today, anyone interested in learning more about Johnson County Project Lifesaver can send a request by e-mail to: projectlifesaver@bcfd.net. Messages should include a name telephone number and address.
 
 
Participation is free, but donations are welcomed.