By Gail A. Tierney, Public
Information Officer

It’s estimated that Alzheimer’s disease will afflict 590,000 Floridians by 2025. In addition to this debilitating condition, other cognitive disorders, such as dementia and autism, continue to be major challenges.

Sadly, because many of these individuals are prone to wandering, a missing person could easily die from exposure or other hazards without a quick recovery. This is a serious concern not only for the afflicted individual’s loved ones, but also for law enforcement.

Earlier this year, Sheriff Jeff Dawsy challenged his staff to come up with a viable solution for locating wanderers. After careful research, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office hooked up with EmFinders, the makers of a unique device called EmSeeQ (pronounced “Em seek”).

Essentially, it’s a small electronic locator device worn on the wrist. This watch-sized instrument has a secure band, which makes it virtually impossible for the wearer to remove.

Gail TierneyIf a person wearing EmSeeQ goes missing, the EmFinders emergency call center is notified by the wanderer’s caregiver, and the device is electronically activated. The unit then automatically calls the nearest 911 center, providing the wearer’s location based on coordinates calculated by using highly sensitive receivers located on cellular towers – the same receivers used by cell phones for 911 calls. Once the 911 center gets the wanderer’s location, emergency responders can be dispatched immediately.

The benefits of using a system integrated with 911 are triple-fold: 1) Caregivers have additional peace of mind knowing their loved ones can be located nationwide; 2) Those who wear the device are able to maintain a certain degree of independence and participate in daily activities; and 3) The Sheriff’s Office potentially saves valuable resources by dispatching deputies to specific locations, and not incurring multi-hour expansive searches.

Because the EmSeeQ device doesn’t rely on GPS signals from satellites, factors such as clouds, buildings and tree cover don’t interfere. Also, if the missing and endangered person gets into a car, taxi or bus and travels many miles away, he or she can still be located.

After numerous successful tests of the locator device throughout the county, all resulting in speedy recoveries, Dawsy approved the EmFinders program.

His agency’s Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association purchased the first 10 units at no cost to the Sheriff’s Office. (This also saves caregivers from having to buy the EmSeeQ device.) The alumni association raised the money through a silent auction, plus donations from the Citrus County Senior Foundation and several other private donors.

Recently, the Gulf to Lakes Pilot Club of Citrus County donated an additional 10 EmSeeQ units for distribution.

The Sheriff’s Office is capable of loaning these devices to qualified Citrus County residents who are prone to wandering. Caregivers simply sign up with EmFinders for a one-year contract, which costs approximately $25 a month.

Once the sign-up is completed, a device is issued by the Sheriff’s Office, and caregivers are trained in its use. So far, 10 of the wristband devices currently are on loan; 10 are still available.

When the EmSeeQ device is no longer needed, caregivers simply return it to the agency where it’s reissued to the next person in need.

The CCSO was the first in Florida to use a tracking system for wanderers. For more information or to sign up with EmFinders, please visit the Sheriff’s Office website at www.sheriffcitrus.org and click on the “Programs & Services” tab, or contact Sgt. Chris Evan either at (352) 527-3701 or cevan@sheriffcitrus.org.

Gail Tierney is public information officer for the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. She has been with the agency for 21 years. Comments or suggestions may be directed to Gail at (352) 341-7460, or gtierney@sheriffcitrus.org.