A premier search and rescue program operated internationally for “at-risk” individuals— Project Lifesaver

Our country’s police departments are under immense pressure to keep crime rates low despite reducing the workforce and whittled-down budgets. Business leaders committed to safety and security often look to extend the efforts of their local law enforcement. Over the past several decades, the importance of public-private partnerships has risen to the forefront. Establishing public-private security partnerships that further police and security partnerships that further police and security cooperation in protecting people and property helps to enhance the safety and security of our communities.

Communication and cooperation between citizens, private security organizations, and law enforcement are crucial.

Establishing public safety in a community doesn’t have to happen at arm’s length from community development efforts. Across the country, local organizations are working with police to incorporate public safety into the mix of issues addressed in a comprehensive community development initiative.

Project Lifesaver is one such organization that provides public safety for communities across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Project Lifesaver is a 501 (C)(3) community-based, public safety, a non-profit organization that provides law enforcement, fire/rescue, and caregivers with a program designed to protect and, when necessary, quickly locate individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to the life-threatening behavior of wandering. The organization was founded in 1999 in Chesapeake, Virginia. Project Lifesaver was the first to apply such locating techniques to aid in the search and rescue of individuals and is the most widely used and proven most effective program in the nation that is specifically designed to protect the “At-Risk” populations in our communities. Recovery times for Project Lifesaver agencies average 30 minutes, which is 95% less time than standard operations without Project Lifesaver.

In conversation with Gene Saunders, Founder and CEO of Project Lifesaver

Q. What circumstances or events led to the creation of your organization, Project Lifesaver International?

While serving as the Commander of SWAT/SAR with the Chesapeake, VA Police Dept in the 1990s, we were incurring an increasing number of searches for missing Alzheimer’s patients. We were not having great success using the standard Search and Rescue methods. In researching possible other methods, I took a page from wildlife tracking.

Q. As the company’s leader, what are your significant roles and responsibilities?

Overseeing the overall operations of the organization, handling personnel matters that come to me, planning for organization changes, overseeing the budget and budget planning, approving personnel hiring, overseeing research and development, and planning the overall direction of the organization.

Q. You have held various command positions throughout your career. How did it prepare you as a leader?

Each position held its own challenges; each was a learning experience in dealing with people, setting an example for personnel, handling problems, and developing an overall vision for the organization.

Q. ‘Bringing loved ones’ home.’ How do you interpret this further?

I think it speaks volumes. When a loved one wanders and becomes lost, it is devastating for their families and loved ones. Locating and returning family members home safely and rapidly gives their loved ones peace of mind knowing that someone will respond and assist them in a great time of need.

Q. Brief us about how Project Lifesaver International creates an impact in the world by protecting individuals with cognitive disorders?

You only need to pick up a newspaper a see how often persons go missing and are not located before harm comes to them. This also equates to a high cost to the search community and public safety organizations in the workforce, funds, and logistics allocated to these searches. Having the capability of Project Lifesaver reduces all these costs and greatly enhances the probability of a successful resolution.

Q. How do you see the company changing in five years, and how do you see yourself creating that change?

I see more change in the technology utilized and the equipment’s employment methods on searches. I will continue researching various technologies to have the best available at a reasonable cost and develop easy, efficient deployment methods.

Q. What is that one thing about Project Lifesaver you want people to know over everything else?

It is a non-profit organization dedicated to locating and return of missing persons with cognitive disabilities.

Q. What would it be if you had one piece of advice for someone just starting as an entrepreneur?

Regardless of the obstacles and problems you encounter, there is always something you can do. Keep your wits, remain calm and NEVER QUIT!

Helping communities and families and relieving some burden off law enforcement

Gener Saunders is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Project Lifesaver. He served in Chesapeake Police Department for 33 years, retiring in 2001 as the Police Captain of the Chesapeake Police Department.

"The Project Lifesaver Program is run at a municipality level by public safety agencies.”