A lifesaving tool | Citrus Daily (EmSeeQ )

A lifesaving tool | Citrus Daily

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.

If 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.

More @ http://www.citrusdaily.com/lifesaving-tool/2011/11/18/89769.html

92% of kids with autism have wandered

Missing Autistic Boy: Tracking Technology Helps Find 'Eloping' Kids - ABC News

"If it happens once, it will happen again unless you do something about it," said Dr. Max Wiznitzer, a neurologist specializing in autism at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, of the tendency for kids with autism to bolt or "elope."

In a 2007 survey by the National Autism Association, 92 percent of parents said their children with an autism spectrum disorder had wandered away from safety at least once.

To help recover kids quickly if they do get away, Jim Nalley and Chris Buehler founded Emfinders -- a Frisco, Texas-based company that makes tracking devices integrated with the national emergency services system. Since 2010, the company has sold more than 4,000 devices, called EmSeeQ, and aided 60 recoveries.

More @ http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AutismNews/missing-autistic-boy-tracking-technology-helps-find-eloping/story?id=14517747

AT&T Wireless Network Connects Autism Wandering Trackers

AT&T Wireless Network Connects EmSeeQ® Wearable Locator Device with Local 911 to Speed Safe Recovery of Individuals with Alzheimer’s, Dementia or Autism

FRISCO, Texas, April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — EmFinders®, maker of the EmSeeQ® wearable locator device for individuals prone to wandering due to medical impairments, today announced AT&T will wirelessly connect its EmSeeQ bracelets over the AT&T network to 911 operators across the country to locate wandering or missing individuals.

The watch-like EmSeeQ device is specifically designed to quickly locate individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, dementia or autism in the event they wander off or become lost. Upon notice by a caregiver, EmFinders activates the device which then places a secure call and communicates its location over the AT&T network to the nearest 911 operator, just like a standard wireless phone. The EmFinders system uses U-TDOA triangulation to accurately determine the wearer’s location, even inside buildings or in environments that would typically interfere with standard GPS locators.

The technology greatly reduces the search and rescue timeframe in wandering situations. EmFinders can typically locate the device wearer in less than 30 minutes—a rapid recovery that can save precious time and public resources and help prevent a tragic injury or death.

“For many, the EmSeeQ is a second line of defense that can help return loved ones home quickly and safely,” said Glenn Lurie, president of emerging devices, resale and partnerships, AT&T. “This is an important innovation that can dramatically improve the way some people live. By connecting through the AT&T wireless network, we’re using a tested location technology to help those who can’t call for help themselves.”

The EmFinders system has already been used to recover and return numerous individuals safely and quickly to the care of their loved ones in California, New York, Virginia and other locations across the country. The system is effective not only in the wearer’s immediate home territory, but anywhere within the expansive reach of the AT&T network, allowing individuals to retain their independence and travel without worry.

“Despite a caregiver’s best efforts, it only takes a minute to lose track of someone. The feeling of helplessness when you are desperately trying to locate that person can be a very painful and stressful experience,” said Jim Nalley, Co-Founder of EmFinders. “We designed EmSeeQ to give caregivers and their loved ones peace of mind and ensure that those who become lost have a safe and timely way home.”

For more information about the EmSeeQ wearable locator device, visit www.emfinders.com.

EmFinders' EmSeeQ emergency locator system for Autism

Local Residents, City of Torrance Partner to Upgrade Search and Rescue Technology to Improve Safety for Impaired Persons

EmSeeQ® Wearable Locator System Now Available, Integrates with Current 9-1-1 Services to Speed Rescue of Alzheimer's, Dementia and Autism Patients with Little Cost to City

FRISCO, Texas, Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Through a partnership between local citizens and the City of Torrance, Calif. Police Department, impaired individuals, their family members and caregivers can now enjoy added peace of mind and enhanced safety thanks to a new wearable locator system called EmSeeQ®. Now available through the City of Torrance PD Community Affairs Division, the watch-like EmSeeQ device by EmFinders uses cellular technology to quickly locate individuals in the event they become lost or wander off as a result of cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, autism and dementia.

Every year thousands of individuals become lost or intentionally wander away, sometimes with tragic results. The ensuing search and rescue can take days or even weeks, costing taxpayers thousands of dollars and causing overwhelming anguish for the families of the victims.

To prevent this kind of tragedy, EmSeeQ uses the nationwide U-TDOA cellular technology to accurately and rapidly determine the location of the device wearer, enabling rescuers to find him or her quickly and reduce the risk of grave injury or even death.

Beginning immediately, free EmSeeQ bracelets will be available for use by city residents with a diagnosed cognitive disorder thanks to the fundraising efforts of former city councilwoman Maureen O'Donnell. In less than three weeks, O'Donnell and several other individuals secured enough donations to purchase the units, making them available free of charge for Torrance residents in need.

The Torrance PD issues the devices; individual families are responsible for registering them and paying the monthly $25 fee for location services. The program is modeled after the City of Long Beach's Safe Reunion initiative.

"This is a great partnership between city residents and our department to ensure the ongoing safety and security of individuals who are at risk of wandering. You have heard me say it before, keeping a community safe is based on the support and involvement of the community," said Torrance Police Chief John J. Neu. "Prior to EmSeeQ, a search and rescue operation for a lost individual may have taken hours or days, even with our resources, and with coordinating mutual aid from our neighboring police departments. EmSeeQ provides added peace of mind to residents and their families, plus enables our public safety officials to launch a more strategic and rapid response when a wandering emergency does occur. Thanks to the generosity of those who've contributed to the program, we can offer the devices for free and the service comes at a very affordable price. I salute our Community Affairs department for bringing in this new program, a great example of Focused Based Policing."

EmFinders works directly with public safety access point (PSAP) dispatchers to greatly reduce the search timeframe for a rescue operation. The at-risk individual wears the bracelet 24/7 or as needed, based on the unique situation. If the individual is missing or has wandered off, the caregiver first performs a brief search. Once an emergency situation is confirmed, the caregiver calls 911 to report the elopement and then contacts EmFinders to activate the EmSeeQ device. The device places a call and provides its location to 9-1-1 dispatchers who can then send assistance, as they do every day for thousands of wireless 911 calls per month.

"With the incidence of Alzheimer's and autism disorders on the rise, public safety organizations across the country are becoming keenly aware of the need for an effective alternative to GPS and other less reliable solutions," said EmFinders Vice President of Sales Harry Smeenk. "The EmSeeQ system has already proven effective with life-saving rescues in California, Texas, Virginia and more, and we are pleased to offer this valuable service to the residents of Torrance."

The EmSeeQ product is available in two different styles: a watchband-type device with a traditional buckle, and a clasp-style that requires two hands to remove for added security.

For more information about EmFinders' EmSeeQ emergency locator system, please visit www.emfinders.com. Torrance residents interested in acquiring a device or making a contribution toward the purchase of additional units should contact Officer Chad Farley with the Torrance PD Community Affairs Division at 310-328-3456.

About EmFinders

EmFinders, based in Frisco, TX, is a new technology company that has developed a device and subscription service for locating people with Alzheimer's or other impaired adults and children who wander and become lost. The wearable device and locator service uses advanced cellular technology to locate lost individuals, even if they wander inside a building, under a structure or just about anywhere. The device becomes activated on remote command and the locator service works in coordination with emergency responders. EmFinders is a privately held subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation attributed to the Liberty Capital group (Nasdaq: LCAPA), which owns a broad range of electronic retailing, media, communications and entertainment businesses. For more information, visit www.emfinders.com.

SOURCE EmFinders