Special to Iredell Free News
Approximately a year ago, Carl Hamm Jr. wandered away from his home and family members.
After an extensive search utilizing Iredell County Sheriff’s Office drones and canine units, along with several first responder groups including Iredell Search and Rescue, members of the Iredell County Rescue Squad, and several local fire departments, Hamm was located. He was treated for minor exposure to the elements before being placed with his family members.
Earlier this month Hamm — and his son David — visited the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, where he was fitted with a new Project Lifesaver device.
Project Lifesaver is strategically designed for citizens who are at risk for wandering away from their family or caregivers. The device emits radio frequencies that can be used to locate individuals who have wandered away from their home or place where they receive care.
The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide timely responses to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children with cognitive disorders.
Sheriff Darren Campbell said these radio location devices will be provided free of charge to citizens of Iredell County who exhibit these types of behaviors and their families. The ICSO purchased the equipment using Federal Equity Sharing Money, otherwise known as “drug dealer money.”
The waterproof radio location devices are worn around the clock. The radio frequency assigned to the location device is exclusive to the particular unit. Once a month there will be some routine maintenance that must be performed by a trained deputy. The locator can be worn on the wrist or on the ankle.
“By utilizing these location devices, we have one more tool in our belts to help locate missing family members and bring them home safely to their loved ones,” Campbell said.
LEARN MORE
For more information on this program, or to meet to determine if your family members meet the participation criteria, contact the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office at 704-878-3180.
Project Lifesaver is the biggest blessing, especially when used properly. When your loved one has a Project Lifesaver bracelet, don’t waste time searching yourself, contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately and they will find your loved one in record-breaking time. Save yourself tremendous heartache with this outstanding program. My dad worked with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department. and helped find so many people this way.