Project LifeSaver offers safety net for local families

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- It's the time of the year where families are juggling a lot, from school to activities, and keeping track of important appointments. For parents caring for people with disabilities, it can be even more challenging. In Albany County, a growing program run by the sheriff's office is offering a beacon of hope for some local families.

Busy mom of two, Laura Franz, always has a lot going on during her day. You can see it on the walls of her office, from her day job to raising two beautiful boys. But Franz has always had a concern in the back of her mind.

"They would often leave the house," she shared.

Both her sons, Jack and Charlie, were diagnosed with autism from a very early age. Franz recounted, "Once, we were on vacation on the Cape, where Jack left the house and went to the beach by himself crossing some major roads."

Luckily, he was found safe, but that event more than a decade ago led Laura to act immediately.

"Jack and Charlie were the first Project LifeSaver client in Albany County," Franz explained.

Project LifeSaver is a simple program that uses a bracelet equipped with a radio frequency that is designed to locate people who are prone to wandering -- from young children to seniors facing cognitive issues.

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said, "Basically, makes rescues as opposed to recoveries."

The recent local rescues are well documented on Project LifeSaver. They take place in minutes as opposed to hours or days.

Sheriff Apple explained, "If that person wanders away, we get a call. 'Hey, John Q. wandered off. We can't find him, but he's on the LifeSaver Project.' We can go in the database, pull his RF, program it. Our cars show up, we go right to him."

The program even works across state lines if another sheriff's department utilizes the bracelets. Franz added, "When we've gone on vacation, we've had that comfort knowing we can use Project LifeSaver even at Walt Disney."

The program has grown over the years with surrounding counties joining. "Whether they are on the spectrum, dementia, Alzheimer's, whatever the case may be, contact us. We do not charge you anything."

Thankfully, Franz has not had to call on the program after her son's incident on the beach when he was younger. But now, as they navigate the world as teenage boys, it's providing another level of comfort.

"That's what it has always been about because we are trying to foster their independence and let go a little bit more knowing that there is this safety measure," Franz added.

If you'd like to find out more about Project LifeSaver, contact the Sheriff's Office about how to sign up.