Emergency Coordination

L.A. Found is more than technology. It’s peace of mind in knowing that first responders are doing everything in their power to help locate a vulnerable missing person.

In addition to launching the Project Lifesaver bracelet system countywide, L.A. Found provides a uniform and coordinated response to missing persons with Alzheimer’s, Dementia and/or Autism and other cognitive impairments.

Los Angeles County has improved collaboration among law enforcement agencies and/or municipalities and enhanced training for law enforcement who may encounter a wandering or missing person.

1.  Contact 911 immediately if your loved one goes missing. Do not wait!

2.  Notify the 911 operator that the missing person is vulnerable because they have Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Autism or other cognitive         impairment.

3.  If the person is wearing a Project Lifesaver bracelet, provide the Radio Frequency number of the bracelet.

4.  Advise the operator of the last time the battery was checked and replaced.

5.  Advise the 911 operator to contact the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department Mental Evaluation Team if they have any questions regarding the Project Lifesaver technology.

6.  If the person is wearing any other type of location technology, notify the 911 operator of the name and type of technology.

 

To assist in the missing person report and search:

Have a recent photo of the missing individual and list of medications; and

Be prepared to answer common questions, such as:

– Do you have a list of places they have wandered before?

– Where was the last location the missing person was seen?

– What were they wearing?

– Do they have a nickname they preferred to be called by?

– When the individual is upset, what helps calm him/her down?

– Did they have a Project Lifesaver bracelet/devices or other ID jewelry on them?

– When was the last time the battery on the bracelet was checked?

– When was the last time the battery on the bracelet was replaced?

– Make sure to alert the 911 operator right away!

 

Activate your family/friends phone to tree to help spread the word

– Pre-set family/friends in a Group text message; and

– Include recent photo on social media or with your text messages

– Alert family/friends of any type of tracking technology the individual is currently using.

 

Prevention is key. Once they are found, consider tracking technology or any preventative methods to deal with wandering. Great resources are available through our Resource Page. Do your research to determine the technology that may best fit you and your loved ones needs:

Project Lifesaver

Other Tracking Technology

FAQs

Stay right where you are, while an officer makes their way to the emergency and/or conducts the search. The reporting party will have direct contact with a liaison.

Until the missing person is reported found/located.

Yes. While the Project LifeSaver bracelet is not under constant monitoring, when an individual wearing a bracelet goes missing, the Sheriff’s Department will be able to use handheld and/or helicopter-mounted receivers to locate the missing person by tuning to the frequency of the missing person’s transmitter.

To get a bracelet, read the information in the Tracking Technology page.

The device costs $375.00.

Please contact the L.A. Found Unit at 1-833-569-7651 or LAFound@AD.LACOUNTY.GOV to apply for a free tracking bracelet.

Yes! While Project Lifesaver is supported by the Sheriff’s Department in Los Angeles County, there are other options in the marketplace which rely on cellular, GPS or a combination of technologies.

Unlike Project Lifesaver, most competing technologies require costly monthly or annual service fees paid to a provider. Each technology has pluses and minuses and no one technology is right for every person. We encourage you to do your research to find the technology that is right for you and our loved one.

Project Lifesaver is a proven effective technology that has worked nationwide for decades with an excellent record of accomplishment of successfully locating lost loved ones and there are no monthly or annual service fees aside from periodic battery changes.

No matter what technology a family or caretaker chooses, any tracking device is better than no technology at all! Regardless of what technology you use, make sure to let the 911 operator know if the person was equipped with Project Lifesaver or another tracking device. First responders will use whatever technology that person is equipped with to help locate your loved one.

Many organizations in Los Angeles County assist in providing wandering prevention assistance. For links to their sites, please check our resources page.

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