For Emergency Search and Rescue Call Outs, Call 412-371-HELP!!

 OPERATION: TAKE ME HOME™

Lifesaving Programs for the Special Need Population

Special Population Planner

 for Emergency Preparedness

All persons registered in any "Operation: Take Me Home" Program

are immediately added to the Special Population Planner database for emergency planning.

Radio Direction Finding Program Protects Wandering Patients

Over 5,000,000 people in the USA have Alzheimer's. That number will triple by 2050. One out of every 150 children are diagnosed with Autism. The numbers are increasing. Well over 50% of these people wander and become lost. A lost person with special needs represents a critical emergency as nearly half of them will die and many can become injured or fall victim to predators if they are not located within 24 hours. The number of people, families and communities experiencing this risk will grow dramatically in this decade.

If you are not yet touched in some way by Alzheimer's, Autism, Down's Syndrome or other dementia, chances are you will be within the next several years. You will find it among neighbors, your friends, co-workers and their families, and perhaps within your own family.
 

How It Works

It is an active system that relies on radio direction finding techniques and trained law enforcement, EMS and Fire/ Rescue personnel. People who are part of the program wear a personalized bracelet that emits a tracking signal. When caregivers notify the local  agency that the person is missing, a  team responds to the wanderer's area and starts searching with the radio receiver Search times have been reduced from hours and days to minutes.

 It is a one-ounce battery-operated radio wrist transmitter emitting an automatic tracking signal every second, 24 hours a day. The signal is tracked on the ground or in the air over several miles. As each bracelet has a unique radio frequency, the search team positively locates and identifies the person who has wandered away from home or a care facility.

Technology is Only Half the Story

Members of the team are specially trained, not only in use of the electronic tracking equipment, but especially in the methods to communicate with a person who has Alzheimer's disease or related disorder. Locating the individual is only part of the mission. The person who is located will be disoriented, anxious, and untrusting. The specialized team knows how to approach the person, gain their trust and put them at ease for the trip back home.


Enroll your loved one by downloading and filling out the forms and submitting them with a check made payable to WPSARDC . Also download the "Take Me Home" information sheet at the bottom of the page.

The following organizations have grant money to offset transmitters in their programs:

Lehigh Valley TRIAD - Grant money until June

South Williamsport and surrounding areas - Hope Enterprises sponsors the transmitters

Erie County TRIAD - Transmitters are issued through the Sheriff's Dept. through grant funding.

DTV Channel Information By State

DTV Channel Election

DTV Channel Agreement

VHF-UHF Frequencies

Sharing of Analog and Digital Television Spectrum by Medical Telemetry Devices

Electronic Tracking  Information

Introductory Letter

Enrollment Forms

Emergency Response Information for Individuals with Autism

Safety Facts: Holiday vacation/ Visiting out of town with a loved one with special needs

Please remember to check in with law enforcement officials at your resort/campground or city that you are visiting for an extended time. It is prudent to make emergency service personnel aware that your loved one has a special need. This is especially true if your loved one wanders. Some of the information needed is the location and phone number of where you are staying.

Download the Premise Alert  Form and Instructions

    PA Premise Alert FAQ's and Form

      Premise Alert Vacation Form Instructions

      Premise Alert Vacation Form

     Critical Medical Information

      Autism Parent/Caregiver Safety Tips

Special Needs Emergency Registration Program (S.N.E.R.P.)

·          Do you have a loved one that needs assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation or disaster?

       Is your loved one registered with any agency for emergency assistance?

 Emergencies often occur without warning and may leave little or no time for preparation. It is always prudent to be prepared and plan ahead and to know what actions to take before, during and after emergency strikes.

The SNERP program helps identify individuals with special needs that may need assistance during an emergency.

The registry is updated annually and will give persons with special needs the option of  preauthorizing emergency response personnel to enter their homes during search and rescue  operations if necessary to assure their safety and welfare following disasters.

Download the files and register your loved one in S.N.E.R.P.

Take Me Home       

The Take Me Home system is a state-wide database that is maintained at Western Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Development Center of persons who may need special assistance. The system includes a picture, demographic information and caregiver contacts. The information is available to Law Enforcement, EMS, Fire/ Rescue and Search and Rescue groups.

  "Take Me Home"  Entry Form

SAFELY OUT ™

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Copyright © 2003 Western Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Development Center
Last modified: 04/24/08