Johnson County Project Lifesaver’s first rescue was a familiar client.
Fred Thompson, 82, was Bargersville Community Fire Department’s first client. He suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and has a tendency to wander away from home without warning.
BCFD hosts the county’s Project Lifesaver program. The fire department uses an electronic tracking system to locate missing people wearing radio transmitters.
On Nov. 19, Thompson left his residence without his wife’s knowledge. He went for a walk that crossed a harvested farm field and stopped near a creek about a half-mile from his home. He was found sitting along the tree-lined bank holding a stick. It was less than an hour after being reported missing.
It was raining lightly and the temperature was about 40 degrees. The conditions were dangerous to the health of Mr. Thompson.
Fortunately, BCFD, Johnson County sheriff’s deputies and White River Township firefighters responded to search for Thompson.
BCFD Battalion Chief Mike Herron directed the search operation in its early stages. He picked up Thompson’s radio signal with a directional antenna.  Herron began wading his way across the recently plowed and soggy field. He found Thompson about 35 minutes later as other rescuers fanned out across the same field from a different direction. Other personnel patrolled a nearby railroad track and surrounding roads.
The outcome was satisfying for rescuers. Thompson had disappeared before, but this time he left the local roads and went for a walk in a remote area.
“Without the Project Lifesaver signal, we could have been out there all night looking for him,” Herron said.
The always friendly Thomson accompanied his rescuers home.
BCFD Battalion Chief Mike Morris, the county Project Lifesaver director, said Thompson’s rescue represents the effectiveness of the program.
“Anyone with a family member or loved one with a tendency to wander should take advantage our free Project Lifesaver program,” Morris said. “It can save lots of time in returning a loved one to safety.
“That’s our primary purpose – getting our client home safe and quickly.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the program should contact Morris or Lt. David Porter at 317.422-5187.