Pennsylvania Eagle Scout creates tracking bracelet that may save lives of missing disabled people

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Inspired by an exhaustive search for an autistic boy in a West Virginia forest, a Norwin freshman raised more than $7,000 to buy bracelets that emit a tracking signal if a person with cognitive disabilities is missing.

Greg Sleith, 15, collected the money from October through February as his Eagle Scout project for Boy Scout Troop 252 in collaboration with the Circleville Volunteer Fire Department in North Huntingdon.

The department participates in a national program, Project Lifesaver, to equip law enforcement and first-responder teams with technology to locate wandering adults and children.

According to the national organization, the average recovery time in more than 1,800 searches was less than 30 minutes.

Greg raised $7,250, which is enough to buy 25 tracking devices, a year's worth of batteries and vinyl wristband straps, and a testing device to ensure the battery is working. Each device has a unique frequency, which is programmed into a receiver at the fire hall.

Greg said he came up with the idea after hearing that it took searchers four days in October 2007 to find an 18-year-old autistic boy who had wandered from his parents while hiking in Monongahela National Forest.

One of the first people to receive a bracelet was Greg's 13-year-old brother, Derek, who was born with cri-du-chat syndrome. Derek is nonverbal and has no safety-awareness skills. (Greg and Derek are pictured.)

"I feel better that the parents in the neighborhood won't have to worry if their kids did get lost," Greg said.

Suzie Bergman of North Huntingdon said Greg had a "wonderful idea." Her 15-year-old son, Aaron Solman, has Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, which is a severe form of epilepsy, and autism.

When her family stays at a hotel room, they have to place furniture in front of the door to prevent his roaming.

"The older they get, the more inventive they get," Bergman said. "Everything has to be locked. We have, like, five locks on every door."

Applications for the free tracking devices are available at the North Huntingdon Town House.

Circleville Assistant Fire Chief Bill Sombo said a committee of business owners, clergy and emergency services personnel determine who may receive a bracelet.

The priority is for people who are chronic roamers or are nonverbal, such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients or people with Down Syndrome or a traumatic brain injury.

Norwin Rotary member Larry Anlauf said Project Lifesaver members will visit the bracelet recipients every month to replace the battery and wristband straps.