For families of individuals with autism, dementia, or Alzheimer’s, hurricane season brings a fear that goes beyond wind and rain — the fear of wandering. Here’s a free resource that can give you peace of mind before the storm ever arrives.

When a hurricane hits, chaos follows. Power goes out, routines get disrupted, and the familiar suddenly becomes unfamiliar. For individuals with autism, dementia, or Alzheimer’s, that kind of disruption can lead to wandering — a dangerous behavior that becomes even more dangerous in the middle of a storm or its aftermath.

If this is a concern for your family, there’s a free program that could make all the difference: Project Lifesaver.

What Is Project Lifesaver?

Project Lifesaver is a nationally recognized program that equips individuals at risk of wandering with a wearable tracking device, and trains first responders to use that technology to locate them quickly. It’s not just about handing over a gadget — the program ensures that law enforcement and emergency responders in your area know exactly how to use it when it matters most.

The program is available for individuals diagnosed with autism, dementia, or Alzheimer’s, and best of all, it’s completely free to enroll.

How Does the Tracking Technology Work?

Project Lifesaver offers three types of locating technology, each with its own strengths:

Radio Frequency (RF): This is the most reliable option in challenging conditions. RF signals are not easily disrupted by trees, buildings, or — critically — storm weather. Devices can be detected both on the ground and by drone. Project Lifesaver reports an average rescue time of just 30 minutes for individuals wearing an RF device.

GPS: Offers precise location accuracy (within 3 meters horizontally), but requires a clear, unobstructed signal path and more battery power.

Assisted GPS (A-GPS): Uses cell towers to pinpoint location, but has a few important limitations to consider for Florida families: it’s only accurate within 50 meters indoors and 15 meters outdoors, and it depends on the cellular network — which is frequently disrupted during and after a hurricane.

Your local agency may offer one or more of these options. The right choice for your family will depend on your loved one’s needs and your local program’s availability.

Why This Matters for Hurricane Preparedness

The beauty of Project Lifesaver is that it’s not a last-minute fix — it’s a foundation. When your loved one is already enrolled and accustomed to wearing the device before hurricane season, it becomes one less thing to worry about when a storm is approaching.

There’s also a significant evacuation benefit: if you need to leave your county, you can relocate to any area served by a Project Lifesaver agency and their local responders can still track your loved one if a wandering event occurs. There are 359 agencies within a 500-mile radius of Columbia County alone, giving Florida families a wide range of safe evacuation options.

And battery maintenance? That’s handled for you. When the device’s battery runs low, your local police or sheriff’s office will replace it at no cost. One more thing off your plate.

How to Enroll Your Loved One

Enrollment is simple. You can contact Project Lifesaver directly at 1-877-580-LIFE, or reach out to your local agency:

Columbia County: Lake City Police Department – 386-719-5742 | Columbia County Sheriff’s Office – 386-754-7003

Suwannee County: Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office – 386-362-2222 | Live Oak Police Department – 386-362-7463

Hamilton County: Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office – 386-792-2004

Lafayette County: Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office – 386-294-1222

Once enrolled, your loved one will receive a wearable device with a band that cannot be cut off, and you can even choose the color of the band — a small touch that can make a difference when encouraging a child or adult with special needs to wear it consistently.

Don’t Wait for Hurricane Season to Prepare

Fall and winter are actually the best time to get this done. Enrolling your loved one now means the device will already be familiar and comfortable by the time next hurricane season arrives. You’ll have one less thing to scramble for when the forecast starts looking serious.

Project Lifesaver saves lives every month. If your family could benefit from this program, there is no reason to wait.