A new search-and-rescue initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable residents is being launched in Kawartha Lakes this summer through a partnership between emergency services and community organizations.
Project Lifesaver, an internationally recognized program designed to quickly locate individuals at risk of wandering due to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or related cognitive conditions, will be rolled out locally through the City of Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police, with support from the Kawartha Lakes Police Service, Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service and the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton.
The program equips registered participants with wearable tracking transmitters. If someone goes missing, trained first responders use specialized radio frequency tracking equipment to locate the individual, significantly reducing search times and improving safety outcomes.
“Project Lifesaver strengthens our ability to respond quickly when vulnerable individuals go missing,” said Sgt. Ryan Weir of the OPP Emergency Response Team. “This program gives families peace of mind and provides first responders with an effective tool to save time and save lives.”
The program’s goal, officials say, is straightforward: bring loved ones home safely.
Funding and start-up support for the initiative has been provided through the Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service, which is sponsoring the program’s introduction and supplying initial kits and equipment through its Community Paramedic Program.
“We’re proud to support and partner on Project Lifesaver,” said Chief Sara Johnston of the Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service. “It’s a natural extension of our Community Paramedic Program, with many of the same vulnerable individuals and families benefiting from both initiatives.”
The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton will oversee client enrollment and distribute Project Lifesaver kits, while both the OPP and Kawartha Lakes Police Service will respond to incidents involving registered participants and conduct searches using the tracking technology.
“When someone you care for goes missing, every minute matters for their safety and for the families who love them,” said Jen Johnstone, executive director of the Alzheimer Society. “Project Lifesaver adds a critical layer of protection in our community.”
Inspector Robert Flindall, detachment commander for the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP, said the program reflects a shared commitment to protecting vulnerable residents.
“When someone we care about goes missing, every second feels heavy for their families and caregivers,” Flindall said. “This program brings reassurance in those moments of fear by giving first responders the tools to act quickly and effectively.”
Kawartha Lakes Police Service Sgt. Ryan Boutin said the technology will help reduce response times when every minute counts.
“When time is critical, this technology helps first responders act quickly and save lives,” Boutin said. “Working together with our emergency service and community partners strengthens our ability to keep vulnerable residents safe.”
Project Lifesaver is already in use in communities across North America. Local officials say its arrival in Kawartha Lakes reflects a broader effort to strengthen coordinated emergency response and improve supports for families caring for loved ones with cognitive conditions.
More information on enrollment and program rollout timelines will be shared in the coming weeks. Families seeking details can contact the Alzheimer Society at 705-748-5131.
