Project Lifesaver International’s Founder and CEO, Gene SaundersSelected by the Medal of Honor Foundation 2015 National “Citizen Service Before Self” Finalist
Port Saint Lucie, FL (PRWEB) August 05, 2015 -- Project Lifesaver International’s Founder and CEO, Gene Saunders, who, in 1999 established Project Lifesaver International, has been selected as a 2015 national “Citizen Service Before Self” finalist, by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.
Gene has over the past 16 years, empowered thousands of first responder public safety agencies to protect and rescue special needs individuals who are prone to the life threatening behavior of wandering.
“Citizen Service Before Self” finalist’s actions epitomize the concept of “service above self” and have been performed “above and beyond” their professional area of responsibility or conduct. A panel, including Medal of Honor recipient representation, considered all nominations and selected national finalists. The finalists' actions epitomize the concept of "service before self" and have been performed above and beyond" their professional area of responsibility or conduct.
Gene Saunders was selected from among hundreds of citizen hero nominations. Congressional Medal of Honor recipients selected 20 finalists for the Citizen Service Before Self, including, Gene Saunders Project Lifesaver trains and equips first responders and provides support for families and caregivers of individuals with cognitive conditions who are prone to the life threatening symptom of wandering”. Project Lifesaver was the first organization to address the issue of protecting and recovering individuals with cognitive conditions who are prone to wandering and has, over the last 16 years, remained the gold standard.
About the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation:
The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to perpetuate the Medal of Honor’s legacy of courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism. The Foundation supports the objectives, activities and outreach programs of the Society, and raises funds for initiatives such as Citizen Service Before Self Honors, that promote awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents. For more information, visit http://www.cmohfoundation.org.
About Project Lifesaver:
Project Lifesaver is a 501 (C) (3) community based, public safety, non-profit organization that provides law enforcement, fire/rescue, other first responders and caregivers with equipment and training to quickly locate and rescue individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to the life threatening behavior of wandering, including those with Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, and Down syndrome. To date Project Lifesaver agencies have conducted nearly 4,000 successful rescues. Most who wander are found within a few miles from home, and search times have been reduced from hours and days to minutes. Recovery times for Project Lifesaver clients average 30 minutes — 95% less time than standard operations. Nationwide there are over 1,400 Project Lifesaver agencies throughout 48 states and six provinces in Canada.
Project Lifesaver is the most widely used and effective program in the nation that is specifically designed to protect the “At Risk” populations in our communities. Project Lifesaver has trained thousands of public safety agencies, not only in search, rescue and the use of our electronic locating equipment, but also in the methods necessary to communicate with a person who has Alzheimer’s disease, Autism or a related cognitive disorder.
Project Lifesaver is also a subject matter expert and adviser on the wandering issue for:
• Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s disease (LEAD)
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children,
• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
• Alzheimer’s Foundation
• National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA)
• National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners
• International Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners
For more information or to learn more about Project Lifesaver visit: http://www.projectlifesaver.org or contact:
Joseph Salenetri
Assistant Chief, Special Operations
Project Lifesaver International
josephsalenetri(at)hotmail(dot)com
609-672-1441
or
Elizabeth Kappes
Public Relations Coordinator-Special Projects
Project Lifesaver International
ekappes(at)projectlifesaver(dot)org
757-531-5105
Elizabeth Kappes, Project Lifesaver International, http://www.projectlifesaver.org, +1 (757) 531-5105, [email protected]
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