Our History

Coordination, Collaboration, Preparation

  Our Values​

Supporting Families and First Responders in Using Technology to Locate People Who are at Risk of Wandering

Project Lifesaver Association

of Nova Scotia

​  Our Mission​

"Working Together to Bring Loved Ones Home"

​  Our Vision​

Working Together to Bring Loved Ones Home

Project Lifesaver was established in April 1999 as an initiative of the 43rd Search and Rescue Company of the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office in Virginia.

Project Lifesaver uses a Radio Direction Finding (RDF) system. RDF is a technique used to determine the location of a transmitter based upon the strength of the radio frequency signal produced by the transmitter.

In 2009 Ron Arenburg was searching for a means to aid in the search and recovery of at risk individuals. Ron’s father had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and wandering had become a concern. Ron researched a number of technologies, but he decided that for his father Project Lifesaver’s radio RDF program was the right one.

Ron contacted Gary Smith, Manager, Protective and Emergency Services for the Municipality of the County of Kings. Gary brought together the various stakeholders and Ron presented the group with his research. With Gary’s leadership Project Lifesaver Association of Nova Scotia (PLANS) was officially formed April 28, 2010.

David Walsh, Co-Founder, President and Search Director of Valley Search and Rescue (VSAR) was a key stakeholder and was instrumental in VSAR becoming the first Search and Rescue agency from Nova Scotia to be trained in using the Project Lifesaver equipment. This training was conducted by two members of Ontario Provincial Police and held on June 5th and 6th of 2010 and now sees VSAR recognized as the provincial coordinator by Project Lifesaver International. Valley Search and Rescue is based out of Port Williams, Kings County.

Valley Search and Rescue held their annual open house on July 18, 2010 at which time it was announced that Project Lifesaver Association of Nova Scotia and Valley Search and Rescue had brought the Project Lifesaver program to Nova Scotia.

On July 28, 2010 PLANS and VSAR placed the first five transmitters in Nova Scotia.

Clients who are a part of the Project Lifesaver program wear a radio wrist transmitter emitting an automatic tracking signal. Should their loved one go missing, caregivers are instructed to immediately contact 911.

Search & Rescue members, already trained in traditional search and rescue techniques, incorporate their training and the Project Lifesaver radio frequency tracking equipment to quickly locate the missing person.

Project Lifesaver requires a minimum of 2 searchers and recovery has been an average of under 30 minutes.