HALDIMAND—Families caring for loved ones who are at risk of wandering off or disappearing due to medical conditions now have a new lifeline in Haldimand County thanks to the launch of Project Lifesaver.
The Haldimand OPP and Haldimand County Paramedic Services officially launched the program October 16, 2025. This life-saving partnership is designed to quickly locate vulnerable people who go missing.
Project Lifesaver provides specialized wristbands to individuals living with conditions such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, or down syndrome who may be prone to wandering. The device emits a unique radio frequency signal that can be detected by trained OPP officers using handheld or vehicle-mounted receivers, allowing them to pinpoint a missing person’s location with precision and speed.
Constable Patti Cote, Community Engagement Officer, who emceed the announcement at Bob Baigent Memorial Park in Cayuga, noted that Project Lifesaver has operated successfully across Ontario for nearly two decades.
“Through a grant, Haldimand County now has the privilege of having this technology to help any of our vulnerable people in the community,” she said.
Inspector Andrew Fox, Detachment Commander for Haldimand OPP, described the initiative as “about reuniting families.”
He said the program “offers reassurance to caregivers and loved ones, knowing that if a vulnerable individual goes missing, trained responders using proven technology are ready to assist.”
“This program embodies the values of our OPP strategic plan,” Fox added. “By fostering safety, trust, and meaningful connection for everyone who calls Haldimand home, this milestone would not have been possible without strong community partnerships.”
He thanked Haldimand County Paramedic Services, led by Fire Chief and Manager of Emergency Services Jason Gallagher, for stepping forward as a dedicated partner.
Fox also recognized Constable Jordan Foebel for his “leadership and commitment” in helping bring Project Lifesaver to Haldimand.
“His efforts helped turn this vision into a reality,” Fox said. “Together, we’re building a safer, more inclusive, and more compassionate Haldimand County.”
Gallagher said the project demonstrates the impact of collaboration.
“It is a privilege to be here today alongside our partners from the Ontario Provincial Police as we officially launch Project Lifesaver in our community,” he said. “This initiative is an excellent example of what can be achieved when agencies work together with the shared purpose of protecting our most vulnerable residents.”
By combining specialized technology with collaboration between paramedics, police, and community partners, “we can now respond faster and with greater precision, saving valuable time,” he added. “Together, we’re enhancing safety, dignity, and peace of mind for those that need it most.”
Foebel, who has overseen the local rollout, explained how the program operates.
“Through the grant, we were able to purchase 75 individual bracelets for clients in the community,” he said. “Neighbouring detachments have roughly 40 people already enrolled in the program, so by purchasing 75 off the hop, we should have more than enough.”
Residents can register through the Haldimand County website by searching ‘Project Lifesaver’.
“It will take you to the home page where you fill out a questionnaire,” Foebel said. “You also need a doctor’s note explaining the condition that the loved one has and that they’re prone to wander. Once you do that, you submit it to the OPP, we do the paperwork at our end, and then we pass it on to the community paramedics who will come out and fit you with the bracelet.”
Because of the grant funding, there is currently no cost for participants.
“As long as you meet the requirements, as long as you fill out the questionnaire and have the doctor’s note, you are eligible,” Foebel said.
He noted that the technology operates using a radio frequency rather than GPS, making it more reliable in rural areas.
“We’re a rural community,” he said. “If you wander into the forest or brush, you lose that GPS signal. Because we’re using radio frequency, it will still pick up the signal.”
Each bracelet has an effective range of about 1.6 kilometres, though vehicles equipped with antennas can extend that distance.
“If they made it outside that range, we can drive around with the antenna working for us,” he said.
The wristbands are water-resistant and safe for daily wear. Foebel added, “The output from the bracelet is so low that it doesn’t interfere with things like pacemakers.”
The batteries last for about 60 days. Paramedics activate the bracelet by installing the battery, and “then, in 60 days, they make a return visit to replace it.”
Funding for the project came from a provincial mental health enhancement grant. While Foebel said many people see such grants going toward people in crisis, “we also recognize that Alzheimer’s and dementia are mental health issues, and this is addressing a need that we have.”
The startup cost for Haldimand was approximately $50,000, with the grant making it possible to launch immediately.
While Haldimand does not experience a high number of missing-person incidents involving vulnerable individuals, Gallagher said even one case justifies having the program in place.
“Before, we would have to search an area for someone,” he said. “This gives us the ability to pinpoint where they are, respond faster, and provide the care that’s required to reunite them with their family.”
Foebel said the benefits go beyond faster response times.
“A missing-person investigation takes on average about four hours without the bracelet. With somebody that has the bracelet on, it takes about 30 minutes,” he explained. “The numbers we have are from Project Lifesaver International, which say it’s about $1,600 for a missing-person investigation on average, whereas this equipment dramatically reduces that.”
Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley attended the launch and praised the program.
“I can’t wait to get this project on the ground and up and running,” she said. “If you know anyone who needs this device, please contact the Haldimand County OPP office. It will certainly help save lives.”
Project Lifesaver has operated in several OPP West Region jurisdictions since 2005, including Norfolk, Oxford, Grey Bruce, Elgin, Essex, Perth, Lambton, and Wellington counties. No participant enrolled in the program has ever died while missing.
The Haldimand County partnership officially went live the day of the announcement, and the first local client has already been fitted – a person who recently moved from Norfolk County.
The press conference concluded with a live demonstration of the tracking equipment in action, showing how officers can locate a simulated missing person within minutes.
As Fox put it, “Together, we’re building a safer, more inclusive, and more compassionate Haldimand County – one family at a time.”
