The Autistic Alzheimer Rapid Response Team (AART)
The AART Team PRSAR recognizes that the search for an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism) or an adult with Alzheimer’s presents a unique search scenario. These are our most vulnerable population, and the least able to assist with a search. With the growing population of Autistic children in America and the growing number of elderly population this is an area where SAR services will be essential in the coming years. Because of the unique characteristics of individuals with Autism and Alzheimer, standard recovery protocols may not be the most effective practice. Speed in recovery for these two groups of individuals is essential as it is well established that children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to death in the first 24 - 48 hours of separation from their protected environment.
Because of this, PRSAR established the Autistic Alzheimer Response Team (AART) consisting of a group of volunteers who have undergone specialized and extensive training in understanding these and other disabling conditions, and undertaken the daunting task of training to provide specialized search and recovery services. They have also received training in interviewing families and caregivers to ensure that information is quickly and effectively obtained to assist with search efforts.
The AART Team is trained in communication systems such as PECS, basic sign language, and understanding the characteristics and behaviors of a disabled child or adult. Their K9s are trained to respond to such individuals in a manner that helps with recovery, rather than causing a victim to flee from the K9s and searchers. They are also trained in containment techniques and in methods to determine the most likely position where the victim will be located, as well as hot spots of concern, such as bodies of water and construction sites. Each AART team member, in addition to their standard SAR gear, deploys with additional equipment to assist in communication with disabled individuals and their retrieval.
The AART Team works closely with the PRSAR Mountain Bike Team and the RPV Project to ensure that when requested, all resources are quickly and appropriately deployed to bring each person home quickly and safely.
In the event of a child abduction, the AART team will respond automatically and station pre-positioned highly trained search assets in accordance with the Child Abduction Response Team (CART) protocols.
The AART Team regularly performs mock searches in and around Assisted Living facilities in order to develop pre-planned searches and tactics. This greatly speeds up the time it takes to get Highly trained and effective Hasty teams in the field for quicker wandering victim recoveries.
AART Team members also participate in a wide variety of community projects, including visiting schools and nursing homes. They have been essential in distributing identity cards (below) to record children’s fingerprints and critical information. The AART Team provides public education programs when requested and gladly participates in appropriate fund raising events. If you would like a member of our AART Team to speak at your community event or provide a demonstration, please contact us at [email protected]
Because of this, PRSAR established the Autistic Alzheimer Response Team (AART) consisting of a group of volunteers who have undergone specialized and extensive training in understanding these and other disabling conditions, and undertaken the daunting task of training to provide specialized search and recovery services. They have also received training in interviewing families and caregivers to ensure that information is quickly and effectively obtained to assist with search efforts.
The AART Team is trained in communication systems such as PECS, basic sign language, and understanding the characteristics and behaviors of a disabled child or adult. Their K9s are trained to respond to such individuals in a manner that helps with recovery, rather than causing a victim to flee from the K9s and searchers. They are also trained in containment techniques and in methods to determine the most likely position where the victim will be located, as well as hot spots of concern, such as bodies of water and construction sites. Each AART team member, in addition to their standard SAR gear, deploys with additional equipment to assist in communication with disabled individuals and their retrieval.
The AART Team works closely with the PRSAR Mountain Bike Team and the RPV Project to ensure that when requested, all resources are quickly and appropriately deployed to bring each person home quickly and safely.
In the event of a child abduction, the AART team will respond automatically and station pre-positioned highly trained search assets in accordance with the Child Abduction Response Team (CART) protocols.
The AART Team regularly performs mock searches in and around Assisted Living facilities in order to develop pre-planned searches and tactics. This greatly speeds up the time it takes to get Highly trained and effective Hasty teams in the field for quicker wandering victim recoveries.
AART Team members also participate in a wide variety of community projects, including visiting schools and nursing homes. They have been essential in distributing identity cards (below) to record children’s fingerprints and critical information. The AART Team provides public education programs when requested and gladly participates in appropriate fund raising events. If you would like a member of our AART Team to speak at your community event or provide a demonstration, please contact us at [email protected]