Special to the Record
In response to multiple incidents involving missing Chelsea children with autism in 2023, the City of Chelsea has launched a SafetyNet Tracking Program, a vital initiative that will assist public safety officials in quickly locating individuals with cognitive impairments, including children with autism and seniors with dementia, through the distribution and monitoring of SafetyNet tracker bracelets.
City of Chelsea Emergency Management Director Steve
Staffier attached a tracking bracelet to the City’s first SafetyNet
Tracking Program participant.
The launch of the program was initially prompted by two missing children reports in 2023. The first incident resulted in a child with autism being rescued in the harbor by the Chelsea Yacht Club, while the second involved extensive search efforts in Voke Park, where a child with autism was located unharmed in a public pool in Cambridge, MA. More recently, a missing child report involving a child with autism took place on October 31, 2024.
“These urgent incidents underscored the critical need for a reliable tracking solution in the City of Chelsea and the importance of inter-agency collaboration to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable residents,” said Chelsea Fire Chief John Quatieri. “The launch of Chelsea’s SafetyNet Tracking Program is the result of a dedicated team effort across our Health & Human Services and Public Safety Departments. This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to enhancing the care and support we provide to all our community members.”
Last month, city public safety and health officials presented its first program participant with their SafetyNet tracker bracelet, which contains a directional radio frequency transmitter that allows for the swift locating of missing persons within just 30 minutes of being reported absent. The city is currently preparing to present its second program participant–the child who went missing on Halloween 2024–with a bracelet.
The bracelets are specifically designed for individuals with cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Down Syndrome, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, and various forms of Dementia. Additionally, the program has proven beneficial for children with Autism, providing peace of mind to families knowing that their loved ones are protected.
“The SafetyNet Tracking Program represents a significant step forward in our commitment to the safety and well-being of our community’s most vulnerable members,” said City Manager Fidel Maltez. “We are proud to provide families with a resource that enhances their ability to protect their loved ones and gives them greater peace of mind. Together, these initiatives empower emergency response teams with the tools necessary for rapid and effective search efforts.”
The City of Chelsea encourages all caregivers who may benefit from this program to reach out for more information on how to apply for assistance and obtain a SafetyNet tracker. Chelsea Caregivers interested in enrolling their loved ones in Chelsea’s SafetyNet Tracking Program can do so at no cost to them by contacting Chelsea 311 during City Hall business hours at (617) 466-4209.
This program builds off the work of the City’s Special Needs Registry Program, a collaborative effort between Public Health, Emergency Management, Fire and Police Departments designed to prepare and meet the needs of residents with accessibility challenges during emergencies.
The program is funded through an Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) from the The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency.