Many Ottawa County-area community organizations have come together to support the Ottawa County Project Lifesaver program. “Through these partnerships, we are able to deliver essential care and response to community members who might not otherwise have access to the Project Lifesaver program,” Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Levorchick said.
PORT CLINTON — The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Port Clinton Lions Club and several key communities, partners continue to provide critical support to local families through the Ottawa County Project Lifesaver program.
Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Levorchick emphasized the importance of these partnerships, stating, “I am very proud of our collaboration with the Port Clinton Lions Club, Magruder Hospital, Mercy St. Vincent Life Flight, Ottawa County Senior Resources, Ottawa County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Ottawa County Veterans Services,” he said.
“Through these partnerships, we are able to deliver essential care and response to community members who might not otherwise have access to the Project Lifesaver program,” he added. “I am a firm believer that we are truly ‘our brother’s keeper.’ If we fail to care for our entire community, we fail everyone, including ourselves.”
Project Lifesaver is an active, rapid-response program designed to locate individuals who are prone to wandering due to Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism or other cognitive or developmental conditions.
Participants wear a lightweight, battery-operated wrist transmitter that emits a tracking signal every second, allowing trained search teams to locate missing individuals quickly —often in less than 30 minutes.
This technology enables responders from the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office to track signals over several miles on the ground and from the air with assistance from Mercy St. Vincent Life Flight. Each device is uniquely coded to ensure accurate identification and swift recovery.
In addition to advanced technology, Project Lifesaver teams are specially trained to interact with individuals who may be disoriented or unresponsive. Their approach focuses on building trust, ensuring safety, and returning participants home calmly and efficiently.
The benefits of the program include:
- Rapid response and reduced search times
- Increased safety and protection from environmental dangers
- Greater reliability compared to GPS tracking systems
- Cost savings for taxpayers through efficient search efforts
- Peace of mind for caregivers and families
Thanks to generous community support, participation is available to Ottawa County residents for a $10 monthly maintenance fee. No one will be denied access due to an inability to pay.
Community members interested in enrolling a loved one or learning more about the program are encouraged to reach out.
For referrals, call 567-262-3133. For other inquiries, dial 419-734-4404.
