Local Departments Commended for Successful Project Lifesaver Rescue

Submitted to OnFocus – On October 19, 2020, a very new client on Project Lifesaver was missing for about an hour. It had been previously determined with the Wood County Fire Chiefs that all Project Lifesaver trained departments would be called to any Wood County Project Lifesaver client missing in any area of the county.

October 19 was the first of such call out. The following trained departments either were on scene or headed to the area: Marshfield Fire and Rescue, Pittsville Fire, Hewitt Area Fire, Richfield Fire, Wood County Sheriff’s Rescue and Wood County Sheriff’s Department. Marshfield Police Department was also there as it was their jurisdiction.

The missing subject’s transmitting signal was found within minutes of trained rescuers arriving on scene. The rescuers are trained to recognize a moving subject as this person was. While working on deploying additional rescuers, the missing person was safely returned home.

Project Lifesaver of Wood County was adopted from Project Lifesaver International in Chesapeake, Virginia in 2007. The project has grown with the help of the community and Department of Human Services, area fire and rescue units, Civil Air Patrol, Stevens Point Squadron and area parents and concerned citizens.

The project is a rescue program for people affected by cognitive disabilities and disorders that wander and become lost. These people are our most vulnerable community members.
If you have a family member or want additional information, please contact Wood County Department of Human Services at 715-421-8669 for persons 17 and under or the Wood County Sheriff’s Department for all ages at 715-421-8715.

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