GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Fire Department showed off new technology Tuesday that they believe could help save the lives of those who go missing.
Four new receivers and 30 transmitters were purchased from the national program called Project Lifesaver.
Bon Secours St. Francis Health System partnered with the city to fund the project, giving a $20,000 grant to purchase the technology.
Fire Specialist Seth James explained that the transmitters, outfitted as bracelets, are to be worn by vulnerable people who often times get lost of wander away from family and friends.
The responder, which is utilized by first responders, picks up the frequency from the watch and locates the person wearing it based off of a loud beeping noise.
The noise gets louder the closer the responder gets to the transmitter, said James.
“Even though there’s not a guarantee, it does give us another tool that we’ll be able to more effectively find those who are lost in our community,” he said.
Alex Garvey, Senior Vice President of Mission for Bon Secours St. Francis Health System said that the technology works very well for those suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or any other condition that would cause someone to forget where they are.
“If you think about it, when somebody is rescued, people bring them to our emergency departments. That’s the natural place for them to go for a healthcare assessment. So we prefer to be proactive and part of the healing process,” Garvey told 7 News.
The fire department is giving away 27 transmitters to low-income families who cannot otherwise afford the technology.
To apply, go to their website here –> https://www.greenvillesc.gov/1458/Project-Lifesaver
