Bob Wood, well-known as a former morning announcer with CFCH radio, then later as Nipissing MP, is taking on a new role.
He'll be the spokesman for Project Lifesaver, a program that locates at-risk individuals who go missing.
Wood is featured in a new 5-minute video that promotes the potentially life-saving program.
Wood served as MP for Nipissing from 1988 until 2004, and before that was a morning man on the radio in the '70s where he entertained a huge audience of faithful listeners.
Now he's a strong advocate for awareness about the effects of Alzheimer’s since his diagnosis in 2018, and is continuing his public service by promoting Project Lifesaver. Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.
“In the mid stage of dementia, a person can remain quite mobile while becoming increasingly at risk of going missing”, says Stan French, President of BAYSAR Air Search and Rescue.
See: Missing woman in 90s with dementia located safely using Project Lifesaver
“Having reached that stage about a year ago, Bob and his family decided to increase his safety by becoming a Project Lifesaver client. Normally, the identity of our clients is protected in much the same way as confidential medical information. However, given Bob’s reputation in the community, Bob and his wife Carol were more than happy to share their experience and let others know how Project Lifesaver can help keep vulnerable persons safe.”
“Project Lifesaver is an excellent tool that we, as a police service, have been able to utilize to locate at-risk individuals who go missing,” said Jeff Warner, North Bay Police Service Inspector of Operations. “The average search time to find a missing person enrolled in Project Lifesaver is 30 minutes. If you have an at-risk relative, friend, or loved one, please encourage their membership in Project Lifesaver.”
See: BAYSAR and police battle weather in mock rescue exercise
“The OPP values our partnerships with community stakeholders who are committed to supporting public safety,” says OPP Constable J. Valente. “Project Lifesaver offers an additional tool in addition to the robust operational resources the OPP can deploy to a missing person investigation. I had the opportunity to utilize Project Lifesaver equipment in the field. I witnessed first-hand the benefit this tool has when looking for someone who's wandered away from home. It gave the officers a narrowed area to begin their search. This led to that person being located only minutes after the officers arrived on the scene.”
“Project Lifesaver has been a vital resource in North Bay, providing essential support for our clients living with dementia and their care partners,” says Shannon Ketchabaw, Executive Director, Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts. “This innovative program not only enhances safety and security but also brings peace of mind to those facing the challenges of this condition. By working alongside Project Lifesaver, we are able to empower our clients, ensuring they can maintain their independence while receiving the care they need at home.”
The video will be unveiled at a morning ceremony at the North Bay police headquarters on Princess St. W. on December 4 and will be available on the BAYSAR Air Search and Rescue YouTube channel on December 4 at 10 a.m. The video will also be available via YouTube through One Kids Place and the Alzheimer Society to assist their clients. Project Lifesaver International plans to use the video to promote the service across North America.
The promotional video was produced in partnership with West Ferris Secondary School’s Media, Film, and Visual Arts class through the help of teacher Robin Bartlett. She agreed to take on the project as a learning experience for some of her students. The production team of grade 12 students Cyrus Hachkowski, Garrett Hersemeyer, Annabelle Francis, and Rebecca Marshall recorded Wood at police headquarters earlier this year.
Anyone with a family member they think would benefit from Project Lifesaver can receive a referral for the program through the Alzheimer Society, One Kids Place, or by emailing BAYSAR directly at [email protected] or by visiting www.baysar.net.
