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Project Lifesaver has become a success story on a couple of fronts locally.
First, BAYSAR Search and Rescue now has more than 70 clients in the program.
That’s almost three times its initial expectation.
Local officials are also training other agencies to be able to offer Project Lifesaver, which uses body worn radio transmitters to help police quickly locate missing people of all ages with cognitive disorders.
The program launched locally with the North Bay Police Service in Nov. 2020 and later expanded to include Ontario Provincial Police in North Bay and Nipissing West.
The OPP launched the program in West Parry Sound and Almaguin Highlands in July 2024, with Bimaajitoon Search and Rescue now ready to run the program after successfully completing its Project Lifesaver training.
Stan French, BAYSAR President and national instructor, conducted the training session last Friday.
“In my new role as a National Instructor I will be able to share the skills and success of BAYSAR with new agencies in Canada,” says French. “In addition to Bimaajitoon, another volunteer group in Ontario has started the process to become a new Project Lifesaver agency. I will be happy to guide them through the process and provide their training when requested.”
Jordan Pennington, Operations Manager of Bimaajitoon Search and Rescue says they’re excited to be taking on the agency role.
“With the support of the West Parry Sound Health Centre/Parry Sound District Paramedic Service, we are adding another service and response capability to Bimaajitoon Search and Rescue,” says Pennington. “This enhances the services available in our catchment area. We see Project Lifesaver as another layer of safety for families and clients while also adding to our abilities to assist during missing person searches.”
Officials say a big part of the success of Project Lifesaver in North Bay and area is because of the collaboration with key stakeholders, including One Kids Place (OKP).
BAYSAR currently has 48 children in the Project Lifesaver program thanks to the children’s treatment centre, which also serves families in the West Parry Sound and Almaguin Highlands area.
Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years. From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.
