F.I.S.H. to offer ReUnite Program workshop
F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, in partnership with the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, will hold a ReUnite Scent Kit workshop for the public on Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
The United Way ReUnite Program aids first responders in search and rescue operations for individuals, particularly those at-risk with cognitive disabilities and who may be prone to wandering or getting lost, through use of a scent kit. Scent kits will be provided complimentary to attendees. The process is easy and uses a scent swab that can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 10 years.
“I know all too well the worry of what might happen to a loved one with a cognitive disability,” United Way Program Manager Prisca Mendez Asaro, who will introduce the program, said.
Her mother, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, has wandered from home a few times.
“The scent kit can reduce emergency response time when attempting to locate and reunite loved ones with family members,” she said.
When someone goes missing, the single most important factor is time, and ReUnite has the ability to reduce search time. Information is accessible to law enforcement in seconds rather than the minutes it takes to gather information. The scents are introduced to the LCSO K-9 bloodhounds that have the ability to catch the scent hours or days later, according to the LCSO.
A multi-layered approach uses both the latest technology, as well as the oldest practices that have proven to be most effective when searching for missing persons. GPS, drones and helicopters combined with highly-trained bloodhounds utilize Scent Evidence K9 pads, already containing the missing individual’s scent, to begin tracking. Bloodhounds supplied to the LCSO by the Jimmy Ryce Center are specifically trained to track over great distances. So far this year, two missing and endangered children have been reunited with their families thanks to the sheriff’s office and the ReUnite program.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and out of an abundance of caution for the community, all attendees must wear a mask throughout the entire presentation and adhere to social distancing guidelines.
For more information about F.I.S.H., call Executive Director Alicia Tighe Orgera at 239-472-4775 or visit www.fishofsancap.org.