Project Lifesaver Lives Up to Name

NOTE: The following is an op-ed piece by Justice Minister Ross Landry.

The rescue of an autistic child who was lost near Margaretsville, Annapolis Co., last Friday is a cause for rejoicing for her family, and Nova Scotians.

A seven-year-old girl, who had wandered away, was found quickly and unharmed. A wristwatch-sized transmitter bracelet led rescuers to her in only 17 minutes.

This is the first time the device has played a role in a Nova Scotia rescue and I'd like to remind all Nova Scotians of the story behind its launch. I'd like to encourage Nova Scotians who need it to make use of this little lifesaver.

We all remember James Delorey. The seven-year-old Cape Bretoner died from hypothermia in December 2009 after wandering away from home.

Ron Arenburg was a search and rescue volunteer living outside Kentville. He had already discussed with his dad, who had Alzheimer's disease, what might be done to help find people whose illnesses cause them to wander.

Ron and Nancy Arenburg discovered Project Lifesaver, a U.S. organization that markets a Canadian-made device.

The Project Lifesaver kit includes a wrist-band transmitter whose constant radio signals, unique to each sender, can be picked up by a receiver. Vehicle-mounted and hand-held antennas can be used to scan an area to locate a missing person.

The Arenburgs formed the non-profit Project Lifesaver Association in Nova Scotia, which is supported by volunteers and the province.

A number of search and rescue units and the RCMP are interested in the device and the Valley Ground Search and Rescue Unit raised money to buy and test the equipment.

The Arenburgs and volunteers joined with and the Emergency Management Office to apply for development and training funds from the federal government. The $273,000 federal grant of will help equip and train ground search and rescue units.

Fortunately two of the units that have been trained, Valley GSAR and Annapolis, responded last Friday when the girl went missing

I encourage more families to explore Project Lifesaver. If someone in your family or someone you know has autism or Alzheimer's disease, look into this device. It can help protect them and save your family a lot of heartache.

I would also like to express our gratitude to the non-profit organizations and volunteers who work tirelessly to help others.

It's a great example of the compassion of Nova Scotians and they help make this province safer for everyone.