LoJack announces availability of SafetyNet service in Miami-Dade County

Apr 25 2011

LoJack SafetyNet, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of LoJack Corporation (NASDAQ: LOJN), today announced that its SafetyNet service is now available in Miami-Dade County.  The SafetyNet service helps caregivers provide an added layer of protection for loved ones with cognitive conditions such as autism and Alzheimer's from the life-threatening behavior of wandering. The service also provides public safety agencies with the tools and training to more effectively find and rescue those individuals if they wander and go missing.  

The SafetyNet system can significantly reduce the countless man-hours that can be required in traditional search and rescue operations.  The Miami-Dade Police Department has been trained and certified on the SafetyNet service, as well as equipped with search and rescue equipment.  The department can now use the SafetyNet service to find and rescue people at risk who go missing.

"We're very proud to be offering this service to help protect Miami-Dade County residents who are at risk to the dangers of wandering," said Kathy Kelleher, Vice President, LoJack SafetyNet, Inc.  "Our SafetyNet service has already been used to rescue people in other parts of the country, including the dramatic rescue of an eight-year-old boy in Quincy, Mass. who had wandered into the ocean and was rescued by local police in just 14 minutes using SafetyNet's tracking equipment."

To bring this valuable service to Miami-Dade County, LoJack SafetyNet worked closely with the Miami-Dade Police Department.  LoJack SafetyNet provided eight sets of electronic tracking systems to the police. In addition, SafetyNet officials and industry experts provided certified training for police officers in each of the eight districts located in Miami-Dade County on the use of its specialized equipment to find and rescue individual clients enrolled in the service.  Miami-Dade County joins the growing list of communities that now offer the SafetyNet service.

How SafetyNet Works

Once caregivers enroll their loved ones in the service, they receive a SafetyNet Bracelet, which is worn by the person at risk typically on his/her wrist or ankle.  The caregiver provides information about the client to assist in search and rescue, which is then entered into a secure database.  LoJack SafetyNet provides 24x7 emergency caregiver support. For participating public safety agencies, LoJack SafetyNet provides Search and Rescue Receivers, certified training and ongoing support at no cost to the agencies or taxpayers.  

The SafetyNet Bracelet constantly emits a Radio Frequency signal.  Radio Frequency is the technology of choice because, unlike cellular and GPS technology, its signal doesn't rely on cellular networks or satellite signals and can often be tracked when a client wanders into a shallow body of water, a densely wooded area, a concrete structure such as a garage, or a building constructed with steel.

The Search and Rescue Receivers used by public safety agencies can detect the Radio Frequency signal emitted from a SafetyNet Bracelet typically within a range of approximately one mile in on-the-ground searches and 5-7 miles in searches by helicopter.

The certified training for public safety agencies focuses on its specialized electronic equipment, technology, procedures and on how to effectively communicate with and approach individuals who have cognitive conditions.  SafetyNet's secure database contains information on each individual client enrolled in the service so that the search and rescue team can have information on the individual's personal habits and how he or she should be approached, spoken to and comforted.

Resources for Caregivers

LoJack SafetyNet offers SafetyNetSource (www.safetynetsource.com), an online information and resource center designed to assist caregivers seeking tips on how to protect their loved ones who wander. SafetyNetSource offers compelling content from across the web, access to the SafetyNetSource Twitter feed and YouTube channel, a Facebook page to help caregivers communicate with one another and engage in a community of support, plus a variety of valuable resources for caregivers such as a form to distribute to the local first responders and neighbors that may be helpful in the event their loved one wanders.