CEO Today Magazine May 2019 Edition

hall of fame www.ceotodaymagazine.com 48 The Project Lifesaver program began in 1999 when it became apparent to Gene Saunders that there was a major void that needed to be filled in providing search, rescue and protection for “At Risk” individuals who are prone to the life threatening behaviour of wandering. For the past 20 years, Gene’s clear and singular focus has been on providing one of society’s most vulnerable groups and their caregivers the support, protection, and peace of mind they need while delivering the tools and training to public safety agencies that are responding to individuals with cognitive disorders who tend to wander. Project Lifesaver was the first organization to apply tracking technology for the search and rescue of individuals with cognitive disorders and has remained the leader, the Gold Standard, in this field for the past 20 years. Because of his efforts, the Project Lifesaver program is in all 50 states and throughout Canada with nearly 1,600 member organizations. The success of the program can also be measured by the lives of the “at risk” individuals and their families that the program has touched with nearly 3,600 rescues. Because of his extensive experience in special needs search and rescue, Gene Saunders has provided valuable insight and information in the Chief Gene Saunders Founder & CEO of Project Lifesaver International 20 Years of Service to the Special Needs Community Project Lifesaver International is a 501 (C) (3) community-based, non-profit public safety organization that provides law enforcement, fire/rescue and other first responders with a comprehensive education, training, and technology-based program. The Project Lifesaver program protects, and when necessary, provides public safety agencies with the search and rescue tools they need to safely recover individuals with cognitive disorders who have wandered off from a safe environment including those with Alzheimer’s disease and Autism.