We are asking Davidson County leaders, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, emergency management officials, and local law enforcement agencies to establish a Project Lifesaver program in Davidson County.

Project Lifesaver is a public-safety program designed to help locate individuals who are at increased risk of wandering or becoming lost, including children and adults with autism, developmental disabilities, cognitive impairments, and other conditions that may make them especially vulnerable during a search-and-rescue emergency.

When a vulnerable person goes missing, every minute matters.

Traditional search methods can take valuable time, particularly when a person may be unable to communicate, respond to their name, or understand that rescuers are trying to help them. Project Lifesaver provides participating individuals with a small tracking device and gives trained responders specialized equipment and training to help locate them quickly.

What We Are Asking Davidson County To Do

We respectfully ask Davidson County officials to:

Research and pursue implementation of a Project Lifesaver program within Davidson County.
Identify a lead agency, such as the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office or another appropriate emergency-response agency, to administer the program.
Provide or seek funding for the necessary equipment, training, and ongoing program costs.
Establish eligibility and enrollment procedures for vulnerable residents who may benefit from the program.
Work with local law enforcement, emergency management, first responders, caregivers, and disability organizations to make families aware of the program.
Explore grants, state funding, federal funding, private donations, and community partnerships that could help make the program financially sustainable.
This is not about waiting until someone goes missing.

It is about being prepared before that emergency happens.

Why This Matters

For families caring for children and adults who are prone to wandering, the possibility of a person disappearing can be one of the most frightening emergencies imaginable.

A missing vulnerable individual may not understand danger, may not recognize familiar surroundings, may be attracted to water or roadways, or may be unable to tell rescuers who they are or where they live.

Families should not have to hope that traditional search methods will be enough.

Davidson County has an opportunity to put a system in place before a tragedy occurs.

Project Lifesaver would not replace 911, law enforcement, search-and-rescue teams, or other emergency procedures. Instead, it would provide responders with an additional tool specifically designed for situations involving vulnerable individuals.

A Personal Plea From a Parent

As a parent, the thought of my child wandering away and becoming lost is terrifying.

For families raising children with developmental disabilities, safety concerns don’t end when we lock the doors or teach our children to stay close. Some children may wander unexpectedly, may not respond when called, or may not have the ability to explain where they are.

We shouldn’t have to wait until a child disappears for our community to ask, “What could we have done?”

I am asking Davidson County to take action now.

Please give families a greater sense of security and give first responders another tool that could potentially make the difference between a search lasting hours and a vulnerable person being located much sooner.

Our children and vulnerable residents deserve every reasonable opportunity to be found safely.

Please join us in asking Davidson County to bring Project Lifesaver to our community.

Preparedness saves lives.
Every minute matters.
Let’s give our most vulnerable residents a better chance of coming home safely.

Please sign and share this petition. We are asking Davidson County to establish Project Lifesaver to help protect children and vulnerable adults who are at risk of wandering. This could give first responders another critical tool when every minute matters.

Thank You